Bill Harris

Louis William Harris (August 8, 1939 – January 4, 2011) was the 46th mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska, elected in May 1987. Harris previously served in the Nebraska Legislature from 1983 to 1987 after he was appointed by Nebraska Governor Bob Kerrey.

Early life, education, and business career

Harris was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and grew up in the southwestern Nebraska city of McCook. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Harris also pursued a number of business ventures including Ag Land Realty Inc.; Harris Brothers Partnerships Inc., which managed farming and ranching activities in McCook; a clothing store chain called Lots to Love; Uncle Sam's Fireworks; and Harris Brothers Oil, a firm involved in oil leasing and exploration.

In 1983, Harris was appointed to the Nebraska Legislature by Nebraska Governor Bob Kerrey to replace Steve Fowler, who had resigned so that Kerrey could appoint him as the head of the Policy Research Office. He was sworn in on May 27, 1983. Harris was elected in his own right to the seat in 1984. While serving in the Legislature, he chaired the Retirement System Committee and served as a member of the Education Committee, the Public Works Committee, and the Banking and Finance Committee.

Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska

In 1987, Harris ran for mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska, challenging incumbent mayor Roland Luedtke. Harris was successful in his upset bid, and became Lincoln's mayor in May 1987 after resigning his seat in the Nebraska Legislature. Harris also formed the Economic Development Department for the city of Lincoln.