Edward Zorinsky
Encyclopedia
Edward Zorinsky was a Democratic U.S. Senator
from Nebraska
, serving from 1976 until his death.
, Zorinsky attended several universities, including the University of Minnesota
, Creighton University
, and the University of Nebraska. He was in the wholesale tobacco and candy business from 1950 to 1973 before being elected Mayor of Omaha in 1973.
After his death, one of the largest man-made lakes in Nebraska was named after him. Ed Zorinsky Lake is located in Douglas County, in the City of Omaha.
Zorinsky had been a Republican
for most of his life, but joined the Democratic Party in 1976 to pursue the open United States Senate seat being vacated by Roman Lee Hruska. Zorinsky felt he was snubbed by the Republicans, who nominated U.S. Representative John Y. McCollister
, also from Omaha. In a mild surprise, he subsequently won the election by a 53% to 47% margin. He was the first Senator from Nebraska to caucus with the Democrats since George W. Norris left the Senate in 1943, as well as the first Democrat elected from the state since Edward R. Burke
in 1935.
As a Senator, Zorinsky was a moderate to conservative Democrat, voting with Republicans on some significant issues. He was courted by the Republicans to rejoin their party in 1982. He hinted that he might indeed change parties in 1986, but ultimately never made the switch.
Zorinsky died after suffering a heart attack
at the 1987 Omaha Press Club ball.
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, serving from 1976 until his death.
Early life
A lifelong resident of OmahaOmaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, Zorinsky attended several universities, including the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
, and the University of Nebraska. He was in the wholesale tobacco and candy business from 1950 to 1973 before being elected Mayor of Omaha in 1973.
After his death, one of the largest man-made lakes in Nebraska was named after him. Ed Zorinsky Lake is located in Douglas County, in the City of Omaha.
Political career
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
for most of his life, but joined the Democratic Party in 1976 to pursue the open United States Senate seat being vacated by Roman Lee Hruska. Zorinsky felt he was snubbed by the Republicans, who nominated U.S. Representative John Y. McCollister
John Y. McCollister
John Yetter McCollister is a Nebraska Republican politician.He was born to John M. McCollister and Ruth Yetter McCollister in Iowa City, Iowa. In 1939 he graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and in 1943 he graduated from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He...
, also from Omaha. In a mild surprise, he subsequently won the election by a 53% to 47% margin. He was the first Senator from Nebraska to caucus with the Democrats since George W. Norris left the Senate in 1943, as well as the first Democrat elected from the state since Edward R. Burke
Edward R. Burke
Edward Raymond Burke was a Nebraska Democratic Party politician.Burke moved to Sparta, Wisconsin with his parents and then Beloit, Wisconsin where he went to Beloit College. Burke graduated in 1906, moved to Chadron, Nebraska where he taught school until 1908. He graduated from Harvard Law...
in 1935.
As a Senator, Zorinsky was a moderate to conservative Democrat, voting with Republicans on some significant issues. He was courted by the Republicans to rejoin their party in 1982. He hinted that he might indeed change parties in 1986, but ultimately never made the switch.
Zorinsky died after suffering a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at the 1987 Omaha Press Club ball.
External links
- ZORINSKY, Edward, (1928 - 1987), Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Guide to Research Collections, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress