Jerry Willhoft

Willhoft was born on his family's farm in Central City, Nebraska,^[1] and graduated from Central City High School in 1954.^[2] He joined the Soil Conservation Service in 1960,^[3] and worked as a soil conservation specialist for thirty-six years.^[1] Willhoft later attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln at the same time as two of his sons, and graduated with his bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1980.^[3] He served on the school boards in Imperial and Central City, and unsuccessfully ran for the school board in Chase County.^[2]

In 1997, upon the resignation of State Senator Janis Johnson McKenzie, Governor Ben Nelson appointed Willhoft as her successor in the 34th district,^[1] and he was sworn in on August 27, 1997.^[4]

Willhoft ran for a full term in 1998,^[5] and was challenged by farmer Bob Kremer^[6] and Andy Jensen.^[7] In the primary election, Willhoft narrowly placed second, receiving 40 percent of the vote to Kremer's 42 percent,^[8] and they both advanced to the general election.^[7] Though the race was formally nonpartisan, Willhoft was a Democrat and Kremer was a Republican, and both parties invested int he election.^[9] Kremer ultimately defeated Willhoft, winning 55–45 percent.^[8]

In 2002, Willhoft announced that he would challenge Kremer for re-election.^[10] Kremer placed first over Willhoft by a wide margin in the primary election, winning 69% of the vote, and defeated Willhoft in a landslide in the general election, receiving 66 percent of the vote to Willhoft's 34 percent.^[11][12]