Steve Fowler
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steve Fowler (born August 8, 1950) is a Democratic politician and policy analyst who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 27th district from 1973 to 1983.
Steve Fowler | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 27th district | |
| In office January 3, 1973 – May 27, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | William Swanson |
| Succeeded by | Bill Harris |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 8, 1950 |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Vickie Horton |
| Education | University of Nebraska–Lincoln (B.A.) |
| Occupation | Policy analyst, campaign strategist |
Early life
Fowler was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1950, and attended the University of Nebraska High School, graduating from Lincoln East High School in 1968.[1] He attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, serving as student body president in 1971 and 1972.[1]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1972, Fowler ran against incumbent State Senator William Swanson in the Lincoln-based 27th district.[2] In the nonpartisan primary, Fowler faced Peterson, former State Railway Commissioner Richard Larson, life insurance agent R. Stanley Sorensen, and activist Hubert Wisnieski.[3] Swanson placed first in the primary, winning 33 percent of the vote, and advanced to the general election against Fowler, who placed second with 26 percent.[4][5] The race between the two was expected to be close,[6] and Fowler ultimately defeated Swanson with 51 percent of the vote,[4] becoming the youngest person elected to the legislature in state history.[7]
Fowler ran for re-election in 1976, and was challenged by attorney Don Stenberg and former Education Commissioner Cecil Stanley.[8][9] Fowler placed first in the primary by a wide margin, winning 54 percent of the vote, and advanced to the general election against Stenberg, who won 23 percent of the vote and narrowly defeated Stanley for second place.[10][11] Fowler defeated Stenberg, winning re-election 56–44 percent.[10][12]
In 1980, Fowler ran for re-election to a third term, and was challenged by Jerry Sellentin, the director of human services at Bryan Memorial Hospital.[13] Sellentin placed first in the primary over Fowler, winning 54 percent of the vote to Fowler's 46 percent.[14][15] The race between Fowler and Sellentin was closely watched, and one of the most expensive in the state that year, with pro-life groups spending heavily against Fowler.[16][17]
Fowler narrowly defeated Sellentin, winning 52 percent of the vote to Sellentin's 48 percent.[14] Though Fowler initially declined to concede, and considered requesting a recount as the votes canvassed,[18] but he ultimately declined to do so, and conceded defeat.[19]
Post-legislative career
On May 27, 1983, Fowler resigned from the legislature to serve as the director of the Policy Research Office in Governor Bob Kerrey's administration.[20][21] He resigned from the Kerrey administration 1985 to serve as Omaha Mayor Mike Boyle's campaign manager in his successful re-election campaign.[22][23]
Fowler and his wife moved to California, in 1985,[24] where he worked as a campaign consultant and established FowlerHoffman LLC, a political consulting firm.[25]