Rudolf Kokes

In 1964, State Senator LeRoy Bahensky, who represented the 29th district, ran for re-election in the newly created 41st district, which included Greeley, Howard, Sherman, and Valley counties.^[2] Kokes ran against him,^[3] and was joined in the nonpartisan primary by farmer Arthur Shotkoski.^[4] Kokes placed first in the primary, winning 43 percent of the vote to Bahensky's 38 percent.^[5] Bahensky and Kokes advanced to the general election.^[6] Though the race was formally nonpartisan, both Bahensky and Kokes were Democrats.^[7] Kokes ultimately defeated Bahensky in a landslide, defeating Bahensky with 60 percent of the vote.^[5][8]

Kokes ran for re-election in 1968,^[9] and was challenged by farmer Fred Frost and home economist Louise Corcoran.^[10] Kokes placed first in the primary election, receiving 54 percent of the vote to Frost's 29 percent and Corcoran's 17 percent.^[11] Kokes and Frost proceeded to the general election, which Kokes won, receiving 57 percent of the vote to Frost's 43 percent.^[11]

In 1972, Kokes declined to run for a third term.^[12]

Kokes died on March 25, 1995.^[13]