Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 15

'86. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1986 UNCOLNJNEjJOURNALH -tMW Two Lincolnites may compete to head Legislature's executive board Legislative wins to Wesely, Landis, McFarland Wj ft" 4. Tm just glad to have an office to go to," McFarland By David Swartzlander Journal Writer -nr-u. i Li LTl Q. Pat Former Sea Cal Carsten of Avoca assumed the chairmanship after Beutler's resignation, but declined to seek re-election.

"I may decide to make a move. It depends on what shakes out," Wesely said Tuesday night during his victory party at the Corn-busker HoteL ffl Scott Coordsw Moor Roger Wehrbein Morehead After collecting 84 percent of the vote Tuesday night, Sen. Don Wesely of Lincoln said he wants to be chairman of the powerful Legislative Council Executive Board. Wesely, a Democrat who represents the 26th District, led an incumbent sweep in the Capital 1 1 3k Wit, said. I looking forward to four years as a duly elected senator." McFarland said he is particularly concerned about how the Legislature can deal with the farm credit problem, with allocating funds in expected tight budget years and with the federal tax reform law's effects on Nebraska's revenue from the state income tax.

McFarland, who got 57 percent of the vote to defeat Parker 6,746 A The Legislative Council Board acts as the Legisla 5 win in district races State 's legislative races proved close for some ture's manager, allocating internal City. The other winners were Sens. David Landis, a Democrat who was unopposed in the 46th District, and Democrat Jim David Landla Jim McFarland Don Weeely funds, assigning bills to commit tees scheduling meetings and acting for the Legislature when it is not in session. to 5,035, said he would like to stay on the Judiciary Committee, a position he inherited from Beutler. Landis, who will begin his third four-year term in December, had 5,778 votes with 98 percent of the precincts counted.

Wesebi's interest in the executive board chairmanship could result in a contest between two Lincoln senators. Republican Shirley Marsh, the board's vice chairman, also is expected to seek the chairmanship. McFarland of the 28th District, who was appointed by Gov. Bob Kerrey in March when Sen. Chris Beutler resigned to seek the Democratic nomination for governor.

McFarland had a 57 percent to 43 percent margin over Republican Virgil Parker, sports editor for the Lincoln Journal, The Lincoln Star and the Sunday Journal-Star, in the closest race in Lincoln. Wesely, who garnered 84 percent of the vote to overwhelm Republican Robert Van Valkenburg 9,298 to 1,828, said the next four years will be in dealing with budgetary matters, and he urged Republicans and Democrats to work together to overcome obstacles. ponent was twisting the facts. Maurstad countered by saying Morehead was "attempting to discredit my character." "I do feel it was a negative campaign," Morehead said Wednesday. Dierks and Elmer are winners 3' Senators DeCamp and Vickers are defeated voters in a ballot initiative Tuesday.

Oil businessman W. Owen Elmer of Indiano-la, a Republican, handily defeated Vickers, a. Democrat, 60 percent to 40 percent Vickers won more votes than Elmer in a three-way primary election. Highly publicized In what was perhaps the most highly publicized contest, state Sen. Jim Pap-pas, charged with felony violations of the state's petition laws and dogged by financial problems, defeated, William Hord of North Platte, owner of a printing company, 53 percent to 47 percent Pappas is a Democrat, Hord, a Republican.

Elsewhere, the closest thing to an upset was the victory of homemaker Lorraine Langford over attorney James Knapp, both of Kearney, by 247 votes. Knapp outpaced Langford by more than 1,000 votes in, the primary. Democrats who aided Knapp said recently he had a "lock" on the general electioa Langford, a Republican, replaces Sen. Ray Lundy of Kearney, who is retiring. In Omaha, incumbent Revenue Committee Chairman Vard Johnson eked out a 200-vote victory over former teacher Sharon Beck, who depicted Johnson, a Democrat as anti-business and for "big government" Also in Omaha, attorney Brad Ash-ford, a judge of the state Commission of Industrial Relations, won 53 percent of the vote in defeating Robert G.

Cunningham, former mayor of Omaha. Cunningham outpolled Ashford in the primary. Ashford, a Democrat succeeds Sen. Peter Hoagland, a Democrat who is retiring. Winners, losers In other outstate and Omaha campaigns that elected new senators, the winners, losers, party affiliations and senators retiring are: Frank Korshoi of Herman, a retail lumberman, defeated Kathleen Sorensen Severens, an attorney, to replace Sen.

James Goll of Tekamah, R. By Journal Writers and News Wires In voting outside Lincoln and southeastern Nebraska, a couple of high-profile incumbents lost their seats in the Legislature, and a variety of newcomers will be taking over for them and senators who retired. The most historic change is the loss of state Sen. John DeCamp of Neligh, chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee, to Merton Dierks of Ewlng, a veterinarian. Dierks won with 61 percent of the vote to DeCamp's 39 percent Dierks trounced DeCamp even worse in their two-candidate primary election.

State senators are elected on a nonpartisan ballot DeCamp has changed parties several times, but most recently was a Republican. Dierks is a Democrat Another big change is the loss of state Sen. Tom Vickers of Farnam, the Education Committee chairman who also helped create LB662, the mandatory school district consolidation law passed by the Legislature but repudiated by Stan Schellpeper of Stanton, a farmer and livestock feeder, deafeated Roger Reinlnger, a real estate broker and In surance agent, to replace Sen. Harry Chronister of Schuyler, R. John Welhlng of Soring, R.

prefecssr emeritus of the University of Nebraska, defeated Clinton Morrison, a livestock feeder, to replace Sen. William Nicholwho was the running mate of Kay Orr, and will be lieutenant governor Outstate and in Omaha, incumbent state senators who retained office were: Sen. Gary Hannibal of Omaha, a building contractor, defeated Denny Henson, a contractor. Sen. Carol Plrsch of Omaha an executive of Northwestern Bell Telephone won a third term, over Bob Stock of Omaha, a plumbers union off icial.

Sen. Chris Abboud of Ralston, an attorney, defeuled former Sen. Jerry Koch, mayor of Ralston, in a rematch of their 1982 race. Sen. Ron Withem of Paplllion, 0, chairman of the Legislature's Urban Affairs Committee, trounced John Hirsch of Paplllion, a tax consultant.

Sen. Lee Rupp of Monroe, defeated Columbus farmer Dick Ternes, D. Two senators, Rex Haberman of Imperial and Glenn Goodrich of Omaha, both Republicans, ran unopposed. ByMikeMutvey Journal State Bureau In two hotly contested southeast Nebraska legislative races, one senator lost legislative seat and another retained hers. Challenger George Coordsen, a Ci-.

lead farmer, defeated incumbent Sen. Don Eret of Dorchester in the 32nd -Legislative District race. Sen. Pat More- head of Beatrice was elected to a second in the 30th District, defeating Be-" 3trice insurance agent David Maurstad. In the 32nd District, Coordsen received 7,219 votes (55 percent) com-v pared with Eret's 5,751 (45 percent).

"rj. Coordsen said the final results -i. weren't available until after 4:30 a.m. -'I Wednesday for the district, which to-; eludes Thayer, Fillmore and Saline rcounties and a portion of Jefferson "I'm plumb tired," Coordsen said later Wednesday morning. Coordsen's victory over Eret, 55, was-' h't a suprise.

In the May primary, Coordsen edged out Eret, who was an aerospace engineer before returning to his family's farm in 1972. Coordsen, 50, characterized the cam-: paign as "low-key." But Eret said his op- fjpnent ran "negative ads" late in the race that distorted his voting record on -budget issues. "I thought the campaign was going all right," Eret said. "The turnaround came in the past week or so." As a freshman senator, Coordsen said, JSe first will -ally himself with expert-Sflced legislators from whom he will learn the ropes. "I'll be on the fiscal conservative side, but not necessarily on the side of dropping necessary programs," Coordsen said 30th District battle In a hard-fought campaign in the 30th Legislative District, Pat Morehead was "elected to a second term in a district that includes Gage County and part of Jefferson County.

Morehead jumped out to an early and large lead over her opponent, David by doing well in Beatrice the district's largest city. Morehead said Wednesday she was the race was over. "My pompetitor ran a very tough and strong campaign," she said. "I think that the voters in the 30th District are the winners. am extremely pleased with the heavy voter1 turnout in this district I think it's a mandate from the voters for me to continue with the work I've started in the Legislature." In an often-heated race, Maurstad, 33, ran radio commercials accusing More-head of supporting several tax increases and a bill to "loosen up the laws for drunk drivers." Morehead, 50, complained that her op- "Even though I Rod would prefer not to Johnson have that type of campaign, I was forced to respond." With most of the votes counted Wednesday, Morehead had 57 percent, compared to Maurstad's 43 percent.

24th District In the 24th Legislative District, Scott Moore of Stromsburf overcame an early deficit and defeated Bill Hartmann of Garland. With 60 percent of the votes counted late Tuesday, Moore was trailing Hartmann by a wide margin. But when votes later were counted in York County, Moore's home turf, he came out ahead in "the race. The final tally was Moore with 6,934 votes (56 percent) and Hartmann with 5,339 (44 percent). The district includes York and Seward counties and part of Polk County.

"We ran a good, hard campaign and I'm glad we won," Moore said. York County has had a representative in the Legislature during only four of the past 25 years, Moore said. "This is' a territorial race," he said. "It always has been." Moore works on his family's farm and spent five years as an aide to Sens. Harold.

Sieck and Rod Johnson. Hartmann, 57, owns a construction, land improvement and limestone company. Sieck is vacating the 24th District seat after two terms. In the 2nd Legislative District, Roger Wehrbein, 48, of Plattsmouth defeated Robert II. Hallstrom, 63, of Syracuse by a margin of 6,333 votes (54 percent) to 5,346 (46 percent).

The 2nd District seat is being vacated by Sen. Calvin Carsten of Avoca, who is retiring after 16 years in the Legislature. The district includes all of Cass County and the northern two-thirds of Otoe County. Wehrbein is a farmer and former Cass County commissioner. Hallstrom is a former Avoca banker who now resides in Syracuse.

Wehrbein could not be reached for comment. Running unopposed in the 34th Legislative District, Sen. Rod Johnson, 29, of Sutton earned a second-term Tuesday. His district includes Clay, Hamilton and Merrick counties and portions of Hall and Polk counties. Senator seems almost relieved at loss DeCamp says he is ffree at last' after losing seat ligent, but a lot of the behind-the-scenes work was done by lobbyists who offered inducements or.

veiled threats to get others to go along. Since the lobbyists will be with us forever, they'll continue to do the kinds of things John did," Chambers said. DeCamp's mistake, Chambers said, was that "he ceased to be his own man." One of DeCamp's biggest errors, Qham-bers said, was to let banking interests bring in what Chambers called a planeload of senators to make disparaging remarks in the Legislature about Djerks, DeCamp's opponent Chambers jsaid voters interpreted that as outside Interference with their election. See DECAMP on page 17 By Dick Piersol Journal Writer With the end at hand, Sen. John De- Camp of Neligh seems relieved to be all but rid of a mercurial state legislative career.

Conceding defeat to Merton Dierks of Ewing, a rancher and veterinarian, De-Camp said he is "free at last." Asked about the impact of DeCamp's loss Wednesday morning, Kay Orr said, "Quite an impact I would say." DeCamp, the influential and flamboyant chairman of the Legislature's Banking and Insurance Committee, issued a one-page statement saying "Free at last. That's the attitude I should and will take about this loss. "After 18 years of public service two in Vietnam and 16 in the Legislature I will now start a new life, which I hope and believe will be as exciting, educational and rewarding as the political life I am leaving." DeCamp, known for his freewheeling, sometimes dramatic and usually controversial style, said he looks forward to the "adventure" of an unspecified new career. "I accept my loss with no bitterness and with the hope and belief that four years from now I will believe the loss is the greatest thing that ever happened to me," he said. Year after year, DeCamp put his mark on the most important legislation: state laws on multibank holding companies, medical malpractice, the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, formulas for state aid to education, water law, tax measlires and the partial deregulation of telephone rates.

"History will judge my 16-year Nebraska senate record, and anything I might say would be. quite irrelevant and meaningless, other than to say I am personally satisfied with that record," De-Camp said in his statement. His colleague, Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, often DeCamp's nemesis in legislative action, was no less critical in the aftermath of DeCamp's defeat "As I've said before, John was a handle that fit any tool the lobbyists pulled out of their bag. They'll find another or several to carry their water.

"He is imaginative, creative and intel- Four new SCC Board members Incumbents9 defeat may reopen merger issue i Blank of McCook derails Simmons in regents race Schwab said he was not surprised, by, the margin of victory. The Fairbury issue was a key, he said, as was- his heavy showing in Saline, Jefferson and Thayer counties. "There is an excellent chance" Inat the merger will be reconsidered by; the board after Jan. 1, Schwab said. "Ijwill see that it is brought up," and that academic college transfer as well as vocational programs are given attention.

Rural areas must have access to 6CC programs, Schwab said. I Several other SCC winners said'ear-her they might favor another vote ofc the merger. Holdover members Lyle "Alt-man and Lloyd Bevans opposed the closing. With the new members, they ciuld form a majority to support reconsideration. There are 11 members on the unpaid board.

I By Jack Kennedy Journal Writer Defeat of four of the five incumbents who sought to return to their Southeast Community College Board seats could trigger reconsideration of the merger of the Fairbury and Beatrice attorney Ron Schwab said Wednesday. Schwab, who beat board Chairman Ted Doyle of Fairbury by more than 4,000 votes, said he would make a bid to reconsider the merger issue soon after the new board takes office in January. Doyle voted against the merger and closing of the Fairbury Campus, but Schwab charged that Doyle had not been vigorous enough in support of the school, which was founded in 1941 by the Fairbury public school system. Doyle has been on the board since shortly after SCC was created in 1973. He fought off another closing attempt more than a decade ago.

Ken Pinkerton of Beatrice, the only other merger opponent who was up for re-election, will be the lone returning board member among the five incumbents who were in contests Tuesday. Pinkerton apparently defeated Odell banker and insurance agent James Stanosheck in a close race 9,474 to 8,947. In the two districts entirely within Lincoln itself, veteran board member Robert Wekesser was defeated by Doane College instructor Sharon Sass 13,406 to 10,787. Wekesser, a banker and rancher who has been on the board since its creation, was a strong advocate of the merger, which proponents said was needed to improve education and trim the budget State Department of Labor analyst Tom Moloney of Lincoln won with 9,307 votes to incumbent Art Taylor's 5,348. Taylor is a part-time bookkeeper in Lincoln.

Incumbent Karen Weaver of Plattsmouth, a parochial school teacher, was beaten by retired Peru teacher Corinne Adams. Adams had 11,142 votes, Weaver 9,996. Doyle said Schwab was "handpicked" by the former SCC Fairbury Faculty Association, and "will end up representing the faculty association." He said he campaigned hard, but "I didnt have any help to speak of to do the legwork. Doyle, a retired salesman, said he still has to consider what his role with the college might be in the future, but he will remind the winners of their campaign promises. Schwab spread misinformation about the closing decision, Doyle alleged.

the attorney, former State Board of Education member and University of Nebraska-Lincoln track star said. Blank, 50, a McCook dentist, built rapidly on an early lead to defeat Simmons, 68, who By Jack Kennedy Journal Writer An interest in the entire state and a strong campaign organization helped Blank derail a third-term bid for re-: eKection by University of Nebraska Re-" gent Robert Simmons of Scottsbluff, Blank said Wednesday. Despite losing by a margin of about 60 percent to 40 percent, Simmons said he will continue to speak out about the uni- Versity and the needs of western Nebraska. "I haven't been in the habit of r' -sitting back and being pushed around," hk has been on the Republican incumbents elected Bereuter, Daub, Smith retain House seats By Ann Harrell Journal Writer The 1st District, which includes Lincoln, covers 27 eastern counties that stretch from the Kansas border to the South Dakota border. to improve the farm economy.

"It didnt help that they (the Democrats) nominated three trial attorneys from urban areas," he said. Burns said he would take a few days off and spend some time with his family. He said he has made no decisions about future political activity. Bereuter left Nebraska early Wednesday morning and could not be reached for further comment Don Blank board from District 6 since 1974. The new regent and former McCook mayor said: "It's tough to sit on any board.

I admire Bob Simmons. It takes guts to take a stand." But Blank said many voters felt that Simmons "had kind of painted himself into a corner" by his frequent opposition to other regents regarding the Lied Center for Performing Arts, University of Nebraska at Omaha football the Polar Ice Coring Office at UNL and other issues. Simmons acknowledged that he often has been outspoken, but said many Ne-braskans ignore the Panhandle and he has been its advocate. The district has been redrawn since he won a second term six years ago, and that may have hurt him as well, Simmons said, adding that he did well among "people out here that know me." Simmons said he could have campaigned more vigorously, but "I didn't really want the job badly enough to do more than I did. Twelve years may be long enough" to serve as a regent.

He recently underwent treatment for cancer, but said the surgery was successful and was not a factor in his ability to campaign. Blank said his 24 chairpersons in the See BLANK on page 17 Rep. Doug Bereuter, R-lst District will serve a fifth term in Congress. He easily defeated Lincoln attorney Steve Burns on Tuesday. Bereuter was one of three victorious Republican incumbents, along with Hal Daub in the 2nd District and Virginia Smith in the 3rd District.

Bereuter was pleased with his showing, particularly in light of a "tidal wave" of Democratic votes Burns, 37, had said that his opponent was passive and voted contrary to the interests of his constituents. Bereuter, 47, of Utica, relied upon his seniority after four terms and pointed to his House committee memberships as evidence of how he can help residents of the 1st District. Burns said he was "obviously disappointed" with the election results, but pleased that he had I Northman, Lang declared winners in Ed Board races "Two contested races for the State Board of Education were decided Tues-day with Russel W. Worthman of Gering and Thelma Lang of Grant declared winners. Two others ran uncontested for the board.

Worthman defeated David A. King of Scottsbluff in District 6. With 99 percent iTotthe vote counted, Worthman garnered 26,262 votes to King's 21,558 a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent -In District 7, Lang outpolled Kenneth A. Toblska of Kearney 28,297 to 21,531 votes with 90 percent of the vote count- The margin was 57 percent to 43 per- William W. Marshall III of Grand Is- Jand ran unopposed in District 5, as did William C.

Ramsey of Omaha in District 8. Marshall got 48,573 votes with 100 per- cent counted and Ramsey got 43,059 with all the precincts counted. 1 "Km I With 100 percent of the pre- I olf Uk to fife. Doug Bereuter Hal Daub Virginia i Smith dominated 2nd District Daub, who has served three terms in Con-cress, had 98.047 votes, or 59 per that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helen Boos-alls received in Lancaster. County, a Bereuter spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Bereuter was en route Wednesday to Washington, D.C., to join his family. Daub, 45, beat Omaha attorney and City Councilman Walt Calinger and Smith defeated Kearney attorney Scott SidwelL With 95 percent of the 1st District precincts counted, Bereuter had 117,092 votes, or 64 percent Burns trailed with 65,050 votes, or 36 percent fared better than some polls had predicted. Each Democratic-candidate criticized his opponent for supporting the 1985 farm bilL saying the federal legislation has hurt Nebraska farmers. But the Republicans said their victories showed that voters don't blame them for the agricultural problems In their districts. Bereuter told Associated Press that voters "realized that the Democrats weren't offering anything better" cent Calinger had 69,381 votes, or 41 percent In the 3rd District Smith had 125,376 votes, or 70per-cent with 96 percent of the vote la Sidwell had 57,361 votes, or 31 percent Smith, 75, has served six terms as representative of the 3rd District, which includes 62 of the state's 93 Counties.

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