Martin Kahle

Kahle was bron in Kearney, Nebraska, in 1916.^[1] He graduated from Newark High School and worked as a farmer.^[1] Kahle served on the Kearney County Board of Supervisors from 1969 to 1977,^[1] and was appointed by Governor J. James Exon to the Nebraska State Environmental Control Council in 1975.^[2]

In 1976, Kahle ran for the legislature to succeed State Senator Gary Anderson in the 37th district, which included Buffalo, Franklin, Kearney, Nuckolls, and Webster counties.^[3] In the nonpartisan primary, Kahle faced former State Senator Richard Ely and activist Frances Ohmstede.^[4] Kahle placed first in the primary, winning 44 percent of the vote to Ely's 35 percent.^[5] They both advanced to the general election, where Kahle defeated Ely, 54–46 percent.^[5]

Kahle ran for a second term in 1980.^[6] He faced no opponents and won his second term unopposed.^[7][8]

In 1984, Kahle sought a third term, and was challenged by farmer Jerry D. Miller.^[9] Kahle placed first in the primary over Miller by a wide margin, winning 65 percent of the vote to Miller's 35 percent.^[10] One month prior to the general election, on October 2, 1984, Kahle died.^[11] Though his name remained on the ballot, Miller won in a landslide, winning 74–26 percent.^[10][12]