Dave Newell

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. He graduated from Bancroft High School, and then attended Norfolk Junior College, graduating with his associate's degree in 1967. Newell served as the president of the Nebraska Young Democrats and enrolled in graduate-level coursework in history at UNO. Syas, who represented the Omaha-based 13th district, had served since 1950 and was seeking his eleventh term in the legislature. In the general election, however, Newell narrowly defeated Syas, winning 51–49 percent.

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

Post-legislative career On May 26, 1984, Newell announced that he would run for chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party to succeed DiAnna Schimek. Though the race initially included Lancaster County Board Chairman Mike Johanns and Washington County Democratic Party Chairman Tom Nielsen, winning the election unopposed. Newell stepped down as party chair in 1985 to become a lobbyist for the Distilled Spirits Council.

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. He stepped down in 1995, saying that it was "time to move on." 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.

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

Death Newell was diagnosed with ALS in 2015, and died on June 26, 2016.