John E. Knight
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Knight | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 26th district | |
| In office January 5, 1965 – January 5, 1971 | |
| Preceded by | Fred Gottschalk (redistricted) |
| Succeeded by | Wally Barnett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 14, 1925 |
| Died | January 13, 1999 (aged 73) |
| Spouse |
Ruth Irene Bintz (m. 1946) |
| Children | 4 (Kristine Louise, Mary Jo, Barbara Jean, Jan Elizabeth) |
| Parent |
|
| Education | Nebraska Wesleyan University Garrett School of Theology University of Nebraska |
| Occupation | Minister, teacher, coach |
John E. Knight (May 14, 1925 – January 13, 1999) was an American politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 26th district from 1965 to 1971.
Knight was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1925, and graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School.[1] He graduated from the Nebraska Wesleyan University and the Garrett School of Theology, and completed graduate coursework at the University of Nebraska.[1] Knight was an ordained Methodist minister and an insurance agent, owning and operating the Gates-Knight Insurance Agency.[1][2]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1964, following redistricting, Knight ran for the state legislature from the 26th district, which was based in Lancaster County.[3] Knight ran in a crowded field in the nonpartisan primary, and faced machinist L. K. Emry, former State Senator Henry Heiliger, tavern manager James Studnicka, real estate broker William Swearingen, attorney David Thomas, and real estate agent Charles Wilcox.[4] Knight placed first in the primary, winning 39 percent of the vote to Studnicka's 20 percent,[5] Knight and Studnicka advanced to the general election,[6] where Knight won by a wide margin, receiving 59 percent of the vote to Studnicka's 41 percent.[5][7] Though members of the state legislature were elected in nonpartisan races, Knight was a registered Republican.[8]
Knight ran for re-election in 1966.[9] He was challenged by retired postal clerk Rudolph Anderson and transmission worker Eugene Newburn.[10] Knight placed first in the primary election by a wide margin, winning 78 percent of the vote to Anderson's 13 percent and Newburn's 9 percent.[11] Knight and Anderson advanced to the general election,[12] where Knight won re-election in a landslide, winning 75 percent of the vote.[11][13]
In 1970, Knight declined to seek re-election to a third term, citing the "increased demands of business interests."[14]