John Breslow
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John Breslow | |
|---|---|
| United States Ambassador to Cyprus | |
| Assuming office TBD | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Succeeding | Julie D. Fisher |
| 21st Nebraska State Auditor | |
| In office January 3, 1991 – January 7, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Ray A. C. Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Kate Witek |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 27, 1949 |
| Party | Democratic (before 1994) Republican (1994–present) |
| Spouse |
Sonia Polonski (m. 1974) |
| Children | 3 (Laura, Melissa, Danielle) |
| Education | University of Nebraska–Lincoln (B.S.) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
John Breslow (born June 27, 1949) is a Republican politician and businessman who has been nominated to serve as the United States Ambassador to Cyprus. From 1991 to 1999, he served as the Nebraska State Auditor. Originally elected as a Democrat, he switched to the Republican Party in 1994 and unsuccessfully ran for Governor in 1998.
Breslow was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he graduated with his bachelor's degree in education.[1] Breslow owned LinWeld, a Nebraska-based supplier of welding goods and industrial gases, which he sold to Matheson in 2006.[2]
Nebraska State Auditor
In 1990, Breslow ran for State Auditor, challenging incumbent Republican Auditor Ray A. C. Johnson.[3] He won the Democratic primary unopposed, and advanced to the general election against Johnson.[4] Breslow self-funded his campaign with more than $320,000,[5] and significantly outraised Johnson.[6]
During the campaign, Dawn Rockey, the Democratic nominee for Treasurer, accused her opponent, Republican incumbent Frank Marsh, of having made several thousand dollars' worth of personal phone calls that were charged to the state, which Marsh ultimately admitted.[7] Breslow attacked Johnson for being a "sleeping watchdog" and for "looking the other way" by not investigating Marsh's conduct.[8]
Breslow defeated Johnson in a landslide, receiving 65 percent of the vote to Johnson's 35 percent,[9] becoming the first Democrat to be elected Auditor since 1936.[10]
Breslow was re-elected unopposed in 1994.[11] Shortly following his uncontested re-election, he announced that he was leaving the Democratic Party, citing his belief "in smaller, more efficient government."[12]