Dave Newell
OfficeMember of the Nebraska Legislature from the 13th district
Term startJanuary 5, 1977
Term endJanuary 9, 1985
PredecessorGeorge Syas
SuccessorDan Lynch
Birth dateOctober 14, 1946
Birth placeOakland, California
Death dateJune 26, 2016 (aged 69)
Death placeOmaha, Nebraska
EducationNorfolk Junior College (A.A.)
University of Nebraska at Omaha (B.A.)
PartyDemocratic
SpouseArlene Paider (m. 1974)
OccupationLobbyist, real estate investor, activist

David R. Newell (October 14, 1946 – June 26, 2016) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 13th district from 1977 to 1985.

Early life

Newell was born in Oakland, California, in 1946.[1] He graduated from Bancroft High School, and then attended Norfolk Junior College, graduating with his associate's degree in 1967.[1] Newell later attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), receiving his bachelor's degree in education in 1971.[1] He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War,[1] and upon returning, worked as an administrative assistant to the director of the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services and as a union representative for AFSCME.[2] Newell served as the president of the Nebraska Young Democrats[3] and enrolled in graduate-level coursework in history at UNO.[1]

Nebraska Legislature

In 1976, Newell challenged incumbent State Senator George Syas for re-election.[4] Syas, who represented the Omaha-based 13th district, had served since 1950 and was seeking his eleventh term in the legislature.[2] Syas placed first in the primary by a wide margin, winning 65 percent of the vote to Newell's 35 percent.[5] In the general election, however, Newell narrowly defeated Syas, winning 51–49 percent.[5][6]

Newell ran for re-election in 1980.[7] He was challenged by Syas in a rematch of their 1976 campaign, with Syas attacking Newell for being a "liberal spender" in the legislature.[8] In the primary, Newell placed first, winning 55 percent of the vote to Syas's 45 percent.[9] Newell again defeated Syas by a narrow margin in the general election, winning 51 percent of the vote to Syas's 49 percent.[9][10] He declined to seek a third term in 1984.[11]

Post-legislative career

On May 26, 1984, Newell announced that he would run for chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party to succeed DiAnna Schimek.[12] Though the race initially included Lancaster County Board Chairman Mike Johanns and Washington County Democratic Party Chairman Tom Nielsen,[12] both ultimately ended their campaigns and Newell was left as the only candidate,[13] winning the election unopposed.[14] Newell stepped down as party chair in 1985 to become a lobbyist for the Distilled Spirits Council.[15]

In 1987, Newell was appointed as the administrator of the Omaha Douglas Public Building Commission, which operated the Omaha City Hall, Douglas County Courthouse, and the building connecting the two.[16] He stepped down in 1995, saying that it was "time to move on."[17] In 1996, Newell shared that he left the commission after a female employee alleged that he had physicall harassed her, an allegation that he denied and that resulted in no formal complaint being filed.[18]

Newell was elected to the Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors from the 2nd district in 2002,[19] and was re-elected in 2006[20] and 2010.[21] In 2014, he was defeated for re-election by Brad Ashby, an information technology professional.[22]

Death

Newell was diagnosed with ALS in 2015,[23] and died on June 26, 2016.[24]

References

  1. ^ Nebraska Blue Book 1980-1981. Nebraska Legislative Council. 1981. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  2. ^ Wirth, Eileen (October 19, 1976). "Age, Leadership Issues in 13th District Race". Omaha World-Herald. p. 9. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  3. ^ "Ex-area man seeking seat in legislature". Fremont Tribune. March 2, 1976. p. 3. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  4. ^ "Newell Race Starts in 13th". Omaha World-Herald. February 16, 1976. p. 2. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  5. ^ Beermann, Allen J. (1976). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 11, 1976, General Election, November 2, 1976. Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  6. ^ Wirth, Eileen (November 3, 1976). "Newcomers Unseat Dickinson, Syas". Omaha World-Herald. p. 12. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  7. ^ "Sen. Newell To Run Again". Omaha World-Herald. February 23, 1980. p. 18. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  8. ^ "George Syas Files for Seat". Omaha World-Herald. January 4, 1980. p. 6. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  9. ^ Beermann, Allen J. (1980). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 13, 1980, General Election, November 4, 1980. Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  10. ^ Kelly, Michael (November 5, 1980). "GOP's Swath Nicks Senators From Metropolitan Area, Too". Omaha World-Herald. p. 37. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  11. ^ Schinker, Nick (March 1, 1984). "Newell Says No To Third Term". Omaha World-Herald. p. 6. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  12. ^ "David Newell Seeks to Lead State Democrats". Omaha World-Herald. May 27, 1984. p. 6-B. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  13. ^ Kotok, C. David (June 15, 1984). "Battle for Committee Slot Intense". Omaha World-Herald. p. 17. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  14. ^ "Kerrey will head delegation to Demos' national meeting". Sunday Journal-Star. June 17, 1984. p. 4B. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  15. ^ Stern, Gabriella (January 27, 1985). "Democrats Say Newell Is Quitting". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1-B. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  16. ^ Laden, Rich (April 28, 1987). "Ex-State Senator Is Appointed To Building Post". Omaha World-Herald. p. 16. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  17. ^ Connolly, Cindy (June 8, 1995). "Newell Says It Is Time To Move On". Omaha World-Herald. p. 17. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  18. ^ Brennan, Joe (January 12, 1996). "Ex-Building Manager Newell Tells His Story". Omaha World-Herald. p. 18. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  19. ^ O'Connor, Michael (November 6, 2002). "Former state senator wins board seat". Omaha World-Herald. p. 5SS. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  20. ^ Stickney, Veronica (November 8, 2006). "Metro's board gets two new members". Omaha World-Herald. p. 3HG. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  21. ^ Hansen, Matthew (November 3, 2010). "Hug ekes out win; Newell prevails". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8A. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  22. ^ Howard, Kate (November 5, 2014). "Voters mix old, new faces on Metro board". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8A. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  23. ^ Grace, Erin (April 10, 2016). "Facing death, but wanting to be able to make a choice about how and when". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1A, 10A. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  24. ^ Stoddard, Martha (June 28, 2016). "ALS claims a life lived in service to others". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1B. Retrieved April 10, 2026. – via Newspapers.com