Orval Keyes

Orval Keyes (October 31, 1913 – April 29, 1991) was an American politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 3rd district from 1969 to 1981. He was initially a Republican but switched to the Democratic Party in 1973.

Early career Keyes was born in 1913, and graduated from Springfield High School in Springfield, Nebraska. Keyes was a farmer and served as the director of several local school districts. Reed placed first in the primary, winning 41 percent of the vote to Payne's 34 percent and Keyes's 25 percent. However, on July 24, 1968, Payne withdrew from his re-election campaign, and Keyes gathered signatures to appear on the general election ballot. Reed was seen as the frontrunner going into the election, but Keyes defeated him in a "mild upset," receiving 54 percent of the vote to Reed's 46 percent. He was challenged by four opponents: Sarpy County Planning Commissioner Lewis Bottorff, Bellevue College student John Eating, real estate salesman Fred Krambeck, and former Papillion City Councilman Raymond Lemke. In the primary election, Keyes narrowly placed first, winning 32 percent of the vote to Lemke's 28 percent. In the general election, Keyes defeated Lemke, winning his second term, 54–46 percent.

Keyes ran for re-election to a third term in 1976. He was challenged by Gretna School Board member Keith Barkley. Keyes placed first in the primary over Barkley by a wide margin, winning 59 percent of the vote to Barkley's 41 percent. In the general election, Keyes defeated Barkley, 57–43 percent. He was challenged by Emil Beyer, a real estate investor and former member of the Papillion School Board. Keyes placed first in the primary election, receiving 54 percent of the vote to Beyer's 46 percent, and they advanced to the general election. Beyer ultimately defeated Keyes, winning 55 percent of the vote to Keyes's 45 percent.

1982 campaign for State Tresurer In 1982, Keyes announced that he would run for State Treasurer. and faced appointed State Treasurer Kay Orr, the Republican nominee, in the general election. Orr defeated Keyes in a landslide, winning 63 percent of the vote to Keyes's 37 percent.