About Donald McGinley
Lived 1920 – 2005 (aged 85). Donald McGinley was an American politician, lawyer and judge.
Donald Francis McGinley (June 30, 1920 – July 6, 2005) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served a single term in the United States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1961 and as Nebraska's 32nd lieutenant governor from 1983 to 1987 under Governor Bob Kerrey.
McGinley was a highly educated attorney with degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University. Before practicing law, he served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and was a reporter for the Denver Register.
He was admitted to the bar and began his practice in Ogallala in 1950. After returning to Nebraska, McGinley was elected to the state legislature in 1954 and to Congress four years later. He served a single term before losing to Republican David Martin.
He was a delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention and the 1968 Democratic National Convention. He became a judge in the Court of Industrial Relations in Lincoln, Nebraska from 1976 to 1980.
More than two decades later, McGinley made a political comeback as the running mate of Nebraska Gov. Bob Kerrey. He served as the state's lieutenant governor for four years and was later appointed by Gov. Ben Nelson to chair the Nebraska Selective Service Commission. He died in Lincoln on July 6, 2005. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Elks, the Knights of Columbus.
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Important facts
People in Donald McGinley's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Donald McGinley's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Donald McGinley?
American politician (1920-2005)
When was Donald McGinley born?
Donald McGinley was born on 30 June 1920 in Keith County.
When did Donald McGinley die?
Donald McGinley died on 6 July 2005 in Lincoln.
What was Donald McGinley's occupation?
Donald McGinley was a politician, lawyer and judge.
What nationality was Donald McGinley?
Donald McGinley was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Donald McGinley. https://biography.guide/donald-mcginley/
MLA: "Donald McGinley." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/donald-mcginley/.
Chicago: "Donald McGinley." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/donald-mcginley/.
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