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Wednesday, November 3, 1982
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Vol. 82, No. ggy-
11 a v
Acceptance speech given
'Kewej win- apparent in close race
By Pat Higgins
Bob Kerrey, Democratic candidate for
governor, delivered what appeared to be
an acceptance speech as early as 9 p.m.
Tuesday night, saying he was proud to be
standing in front of his supporters "as the
governor-elect of this state."
He continued an acceptance speech
later in the evening when he arrived at the
Lincoln Hiton Hotel, headquarters for the
Democratic party.
At his campaign celebration at the
Omaha Old Mill Holiday Inn, Kerrey said
earlier he was confident of victory.
Although the vote was close, as of late
Tuesday night Kerrey appeared to be the
preliminary winner over Republican incum
bent Gov. Charles Thone.
By 11:30 p.m., polling results showed
that Kerrey won 51 percent of the state's
vote and Thone had 49 percent. At that
hour, 41 percent of the ballots were un
counted; most of those votes were to come
from the 3rd District. That district, repre
sented by Republican U.S.Rep.irgihia"
Smith, is heavily Republican.
As of .11:30 p.m., Thone supporters
were stressing that 41 percent of the vote
was still out. By that time, Thone had not
appeared at the Republican Party's
election-night party at the Lincoln Hilton.
Marilyn Bath, co-chairperson of Thone's
re-election committee, would not comment
on the race until the governor arrived.
"Well, it looks like we did it," Kerrey
said to his Lincoln supporters at the
Hilton. "We deserve to be standing here
right now, cheering and feeling very good
about this victory."
"We've worked hard, we've had up
moments' and 'down moments,' this is an
'up moment' as we stand here celebrating
victory," he said in Omaha.
Kerrey said there is much work to be
done as governor since the state faces a
severe fiscal crisis.
"There's not going to be easy solutions;
I'm glad we have four years to do it."
Kerrey said the election results showed
that Nebraskans are "trusting me to be the
next governor of the state of Nebraska."
Kerrey said he would try to make the
state's government strong and efficient,
but not big.
Kerrey said it would be an awkward
situation with the special session of the
Nebraska Legislature convening Friday and
the State Board of Equalization meeting
Nov. 15.
He said he would keep collecting infor
mation from his crisis committee but since
he is not governor yet, he will not try to
influence what happens during the special
session. '
Kerrey addressed the argument of his
opponents that he lacks government
experience.
Kerrey said he had plenty of
government experience and "Nebraskans
aren't going to vote for a babe in the
woods."
"The people trust me," he said.
Former 2nd District Congressman John
Cavanaugh acted as master of ceremonies
at the Kerrey celebration party. Cavanaugh
credited Omaha state senators Bernice
Labedz, Marge Higgins, Dave Newell and
Steve Wiitala for Kerrey's success in
Omaha.
- Kerrey shared the podium with Omaha
Mayor Mike Boyle and Jhis wife, Ann,
and with his Lt. Gov. candidate Don Mc
Ginley, who commented that "I don't
want to detract from the festivities; we all
need to celebrate."
Meanwhile, at a Lincoln Hilton Hotel
Democratic gathering, Mayor Helen
Boosalis stated her support for Kerrey.
"If Kerrey wins, and I'm optimistic he
will, it will show that low-level smear cam
paign tactics are not acceptable to the
majority of Nebraskans," the mayor said at
about 10 p.m.
"He will provide leadership," she said.
She said she thinks he understands the
Reagan administration's New Federalism
and will use this to the advantage of the
state.
"As mayor of the second largest city in
Nebraska, I feel that Kerrey will help
create a partnership between city govern
ment and state government," she said.
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Photo by Craig Andresen
Apparent governor-elect Bob Kerrey appears at the Lincoln Hilton Tuesday night.
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Early results: Hoch is new regent
By Kathleen Green and Chuck Jagoda
Cautiously optimistic about her lead in early returns
in the 4th District regents race, candidate Nancy Hoch
promised to emphasize academics, classroom instruction
and faculty salaries if she won.
"A regent should be more aware of the concerns of
the people represented, the students and the faculty,"
Election r82
Photo court try of Nancy Hoch
Nancy Hoch
Hoch said. "Faculty salaries are an underlying factor
that should be given priority."
Just before 11 p.m., The Associated Press reported
that Hoch had won about 57 percent of the vote while
incumbent Robert Prokop had about 43 percent. At
that time, only 22.5 percent of the ballots had been
counted.
Interviewed from her Nebraska City home late Tuesday
evening, Hoch said that during 12 years, a regent has
time to express his or her ideas. Prokop has had that
opportunity, during his two six-year terms as regent,
she said.
Again referring to her opponent, Hoch said "a lot
of people were very disappointed in Prokop's phone
issue." Earlier this year, the Omaha World-Herald revealed
that Prokop had charged the university for more than
$200 worth of phone calls that appeared to be personal.
She also said student regents should have an opportu
nity to express their ideas to the board and pledged to
be more open in communication with students.
In the 8th District race, incumbent James Moylan of
Omaha won a clear majority with all precincts counted.
He gained 58 percent of the vote to challenger Sharon
Donnermeyer Jackson's 42 percent.
Jackson said a lack of voter interest prompted her
to run for the board. She said Tuesday night when
reached at her Omaha home that that lack of interest
may have contributed to her loss.
The public needs to be more aware that 25 percent
of each state tax dollar goes to the university, she said.
Moylan could not be reached for comment.
In the 3rd District, Margaret Robinson of Norfolk
appeared to be winning by a large majority with only
11 percent of the vote counted. She had 70 percent
of the vote, while Don Dworak, a state senator from
Columbus, had about 30 percent of the vote.
Neither candidate could be reached for comment.
No results from the 5th District race were available
by midnight. In that district, James Norton, a lawyer
from David City, was challenging incumbent Robert
Koefoot, a doctor from Grand Island.
Norton said he had no plans to run for the position
again.
"It was a one-shot deal," he said. "I had a great deal
of interest because of my son being a student in the
university. I also assumed others would feel as I do
that 18 years is too long" for a regent to hold the job.
If Koefoot wins a third term he will have served
18 years on the board.
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