Edward Zorinsky

Edward Zorinsky ( born November 11, 1928 in Omaha, Nebraska; † March 6, 1987 ) was an American politician of the Democratic Party, representing the state of Nebraska in the U.S. Senate.

Life

Zorinsky who always had his residence in Omaha, attended several universities, including the University of Minnesota, Creighton University and the University of Nebraska. He worked from 1950 to the tobacco wholesale and in the confectionery business until he was elected in 1973 as mayor of Omaha.

Political career

Although Zorinsky had been most of his life Republican, he became a Democrat in 1976 for election to the seat in the U.S. Senate, which had been vacated by Roman Hruska. Zorinsky felt snubbed by the Republicans, who had nominated John Y. McCollister, Member of the House of Representatives, who also came from Omaha. Somewhat surprisingly, he won the election with 53% against 47% of the vote. He was the first senator from Nebraska who voted with the Democrats since George W. Norris, who left the Senate in 1943, and the first elected Democratic senator since Edward R. Burke in 1935.

When Senator Zorinsky was a moderate to conservative Democrat who voted in some important issues with the Republicans. He was courted in 1982 by the Republicans to join their party, and hinted that he might actually change the party in 1986, but it never came ultimately to take this step.

Death and Afterlife

Zorinsky died after a heart attack at the Omaha Press Club Ball.

After his death, one of the largest artificial lakes in Nebraska was named after him. The Zorinsky Lake is located in Douglas County, primarily in the city of Omaha.

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