Walter Duda

Duda was born in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1921,^[1][2] and grew up in Omaha, graduating from Omaha Central High School.^[1] He served in the Marines during World War II, and graduated from Iowa State University with his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.^[1] He operated a corn farm and worked in real estate.^[1]

In 1968, Duda ran for the Douglas County Board of Supervisors in the 3rd district, and won the Republican primary over Dexter Nygaard.^[3] He faced incumbent Democratic Supervisor Dan Lynch in the general election.^[4] Though Republicans won a majority on the board, Lynch narrowly defeated Duda.^[5]

Duda ran again for the Board of Supervisors in 1970 for one of three at-large seats,^[6] and won the Republican primary, along with insurance agent James Henderson and real estate salesman Harry Taylor, and they faced Democrats George Buglewicz, a sales manager; surveyor Bill Green; and incumbent Supervisor Jack Cavanahg.^[7][8] All three Democratic candidates won, marking the first time since 1936 that the county board was constituted by members of one political party.^[9]

In 1978, Duda challenged incumbent State Senator Thomas Fitzgerald for re-election in the 14th district, along with U.S. Air Force veteran Jackson Graham, Ku Klux Klan recruiter Herschel Nelson, and businessman Theodore Strasser.^[10] Fitzgerald and Duda both received 35 percent of the vote in the primary, with Fitzgerald placing ahead of Duda by 2 votes,^[11] and they advanced to the general election.^[12] Fitzgerald narrowly defeated Duda in the general election, winning 52–48 percent.^[13]

Fitzgerald was appointed to the Liquor Control Commission by Governor Charles Thone in 1981,^[14] and Thone appointed Duda to serve out the remaining two years of Fitzgerald's term.^[15] He was sworn in on July 13, 1981.^[16] After the 14th district was relocated to Sarpy County following redistricting,^[17] Duda declined to run for a full term in 1982.^[18]

In 1984, Duda ran for the state legislature, seeking to succeed State Senator Dave Newell in the 13th district.^[19] In the nonpartisan primary, he faced former Douglas County Commissioner Dan Lynch, who defeated him in 1968; Northwestern Bell employee William Hoffman; insurance agent Bob Garrett; and pharmacy owner Luke Coniglio.^[20] Lynch placed first in the primary, winning 46 percent of the vote to Duda's 35 percent,^[21] and they both advanced to the general election.^[22] Lynch ultimately defeated Duda, winning 55 percent of the vote to Duda's 45 percent.^[21][23]