Edward Zorinsky

Edward Zorinsky (November 11, 1928 – March 6, 1987) was an American businessman and politician who served as a Democrat in the United States Senate from 1976 until his death in 1987. He represented Nebraska and had previously served as mayor of Omaha, elected as a Republican. He was the first Jewish person elected to statewide office in Nebraska.

Early life and career Zorinsky was born and raised in Omaha. His parents were Sonia and Hymie Zorinsky, both Russian Jewish immigrants. He attended Saunders and Rosehill elementary schools and graduated from Central High School in 1945. Zorinsky attended the University of Minnesota from 1945 to 1946 and Creighton University from 1946 to 1948 before completing his studies at the University of Nebraska, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and zoology in 1949.

For twenty-three years, Zorinsky worked in the wholesale tobacco and candy business. In the general election, he defeated U.S. Representative John Y. McCollister by a margin of 53% to 47%. With his victory, he became the first Democratic Senator elected from Nebraska since 1934 and the first Jewish person to ever to win a statewide election in Nebraska. He was re-elected to a second term in 1982, receiving over 66% of the vote.

As a Senator, Zorinsky was a moderate to conservative Democrat, voting with Republicans on some significant issues. He was courted by the Republicans to rejoin their party in 1982. Zorinsky threatened to change parties in 1986, but ultimately never made the switch. He served as chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs, in which position he advocated for financial and military assistance to the new Sandinista National Liberation Front regime in Nicaragua in 1979.

Death and legacy The Edward Zorinsky Federal BuildingZorinsky died after suffering a heart attack at the 1987 Omaha Press Club gridiron show, shortly after performing a song and dance routine.