Sharon Beck (Nebraska politician)

In 1986, Beck ran for the Nebraska Legislature against State Senator Vard Johnson, a Democrat, who represented the Omaha-based 8th district.^[3] She was joined in the primary by attorney Horace Reynolds IV and railroad administrator George Davis.^[4] Beck argued that Johnson had an "inconsistent approach" in the legislature, and attacked him for proposing a sales tax on utility services.^[5] Johnson narrowly placed first in the primary, winning 40 percent of the vote to Beck's 39 percent,^[6] and they both advanced to the general election.^[7]

In the general election, Beck campaigned as a social conservative and a supporter of the death penalty, noting, "The unborn has no judge, no jury, no appeal[.]"^[8] Johnson raised the most money out of any legislative candidate statewide, and significantly outraised and outspent Beck.^[9] In the final days of the campaign, U.S. Senator Edward Zorinsky, a conservative Democrat, said that he "would vote for" Beck "if [he] lived in that district."^[10] Ultimately, Johnson narrowly defeated Beck, winning re-election with 52 percent of the vote.^[6][11]

In 1988, Johnson announced that he would resign from his seat in the legislature, effective 1989.^[12] Governor Kay Orr appointed Beck as Johnson's successor,^[13] and she was sworn in on January 4, 1989.^[14]

Beck ran for re-election in 1990, and was challenged by Eric J. Will, a former legislative aide to Johnson.^[15] In the primary election, Beck placed first over Will by a wide margin, winning 59–41 percent,^[16] and they both advanced to the general election. The candidates' positions on abortion was a defining issue of the campaign; Beck was endorsed by the Nebraska Coalition for Life, while Will ran on his support for abortion rights.^[17] Beck was narrowly defeated by Will, receiving 47 percent to his 53 percent.^[16]

Beck died on December 26, 2013, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.^[18]