Richard Maresh

Maresh was born in Milligan, Nebraska, in 1917, and graduated from Milligan High School.^[1] He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, and he attended Air Force mechanic and flight engineer schools.^[1] While serving in the military, he was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.^[1] Upon returning to Nebraska, he was a farmer, and served on the Nebraska State Fair Board and on the Milligan School Board.^[1]

In 1970, State Senator Theodore Wenzlaff, who was appointed to replace Eric Rasmussen upon his election to the Nebraska Public Service Commission, ran for a full term.^[2] Maresh ran against Wenzlaff in the 32nd district, which included Clay, Fillmore, and Thayer counties.^[3] He faced a crowded primary that included newspaper publisher Al Bonta, farmer Melvin Kuska, and grain dealer Larry Logan.^[4] Maresh placed first, winning 29 percent of the vote to Ruska's 21 percent and Wenzlaff's 17 percent,^[5][6] making Wenzlaff one of three senators to lose renomination in the primary.^[7] In the general election, Maresh defeated Kuska, winning his first term in the legislature, 55–45 percent.^[5]

Maresh ran for re-election in 1974,^[8] and was challenged by former Crete Mayor George Plessman.^[9] Maresh placed first in the primary election, winning 68 percent of the vote to Plessman's 32 percent.^[10] In the general election, Maresh defeated Plessman in a landslide, receiving 74 percent of the vote to Plessman's 26 percent.^[10][11]

In 1978, Maresh ran for a third term.^[12] He was challenged by Gene Harding, a farmer who worked on the journalism staff of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.^[13] Maresh placed first in the primary election, winning 67 percent of the vote to Harding's 33 percent.^[14] Maresh won the general election in a landslide, winning 67–33 percent.^[14][15]