Jerry D. Miller

Miller as born in Davenport, Nebraska, in 1942, and graduated from Davenport Community School.^[1] He graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with his bachelor's degree in agricultural economics,^[1] and worked as a farmer and seed salesman.^[2] Miller owned the D-D-J Company, a wholesale distributor of farming equipment, and served on the Davenport School Board.^[2]

In 1984, Miller challenged incumbent State Senator Martin Kahle for re-election in the 37th district,^[2] which included Buffalo, Franklin, Kearney, Nuckolls, and Webster counties. In the primary election, Kahle placed first by a wide margin, receiving 65 percent of the vote to Miller's 35 percent.^[3]

On October 2, 1984, a month prior to the election, Kahle died,^[4] leaving Miller unopposed in the general election.^[5] Kahle's name remained on the ballot, and Miller won the general election in a landslide, receiving 74 percent of the vote.^[3][6] Following the election, Governor Bob Kerrey, who had previously announced that he would not immediately appoint a replacement for Kahle,^[5] appointed Miller to serve out the remaining two months of Kahle's term after the election.^[7] Miller was sworn in on November 9, 1984.^[8]

Miller ran for re-election in 1988, and was challenged by Kearney County Attorney Doug Kristensen and souvenir company owner Nicholas Ponticello.^[9] In the primary election, Miller placed first over Kristensen, who won the support of the state Republican Party,^[10] receiving 51 percent of the vote to Kristensen's 47 percent and Ponticello's 2 percent.^[11][12] In the general election, Kristensen defeated Miller in a landslide, receiving 65 percent of the vote to Miller's 35 percent.^[11][13]