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List of mayors of Lincoln, Nebraska

Government official in the United States

List of mayors of Lincoln, Nebraska
Summary

Government official in the United States

FieldValue
postMayor
bodyLincoln, Nebraska
imageL-23-02-23-A-014 (52707370491) (closer crop).jpg
incumbentLeirion Gaylor Baird
incumbentsinceMay 20, 2019
typeMayor
termlengthFour years
formation1871
firstHumphrey D. Gilbert (de facto)
William F. Chapin (official)
websitehttps://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Mayor

William F. Chapin (official)

The mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska is the head of the government of Lincoln, a city located in the State of Nebraska in the United States. The mayor is vested with the executive and administrative power of the city of Lincoln and is the ceremonial head of its government.

The Lincoln mayor is elected every four years on the first Tuesday in May of every other odd-numbered year. The mayor, along with newly elected city council members, takes office on the second Monday after the first Tuesday in May (election day). Due to an amendment of the Lincoln City Charter passed by the voters in November 2018, the Lincoln mayor is limited to only serve a maximum of three consecutive terms in office. To date, Chris Beutler is Lincoln's longest serving mayor, having held the office for 12 years.

Among the powers and responsibilities of the mayor as specified by the Lincoln City Charter are these: to supervise all city departments and agencies, to enforce the city charter and ordinances, to submit an annual city budget to the city council and approve large purchases, to promote the commercial and industrial growth of the city, and to appoint the heads of all city departments with the approval of the city council and appoint other city officers, employees, and members of boards and commissions.

History

A black-and-white photograph of William F. Chapin, first elected mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska
William F. Chapin, first elected mayor of Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska, was officially incorporated as a town on April 7, 1869, by the commissioners of Lancaster County. Interim trustees were chosen for its Board of Trustees, which functioned as its city council. Permanent trustees were then officially elected by the citizens of Lincoln on May 3, 1869. A chairman was chosen by the trustees, and although there was no official title of "mayor" of Lincoln at this time, the chairman of the Board of Trustees was effectively the mayor of Lincoln. Lincoln's first chairman of the board of trustees was Humphrey D. Gilbert, elected in 1869, and Lincoln's second chairman of the board of trustees was Charles H. Gere, elected in 1870.

Lincoln was later incorporated as a city of the second class by the Legislature of Nebraska on March 18, 1871, which allowed its citizens to directly elect a mayor. The first mayor elected by the citizens of Lincoln was William F. Chapin, a lawyer and former Speaker of the Nebraska House of Representatives, who was elected on April 4, 1871. Thus, from 1883 to 1911, the mayor was elected directly by the citizens of Lincoln for a term of two years. In 1912, the Nebraska Legislature amended the state's laws to give cities the option to adopt a "commission" form of government, which Lincoln adopted for its government in a special election in 1912. This meant that the Lincoln mayor was now to be chosen by the city council from among the council membership instead of elected directly by the voters. This system of Lincoln city government persisted through the election of 1935.

In 1935, the voters of Lincoln adopted an amendment to its city charter increasing the number of city council members from five to seven and creating a system where the mayor was once again directly elected by the voters. However, though no longer chosen by fellow council members, the mayor remained a member of the Lincoln city council. The mayor was still elected to a two-year term while all other council members' terms were increased to four years under the new plan. The first mayor to take office under this new system was Oren S. Copeland in 1937. In the election of 1962, the voters of Lincoln adopted an amendment to the city charter that made the mayor's office separate from the city council and extended the mayor's term to four years. This made the mayor's job a "full-time position" since the mayor was no longer a member of the council. Dean H. Petersen was the first mayor elected in 1963 under this system, which remains the current system of Lincoln's city government.

In 1975, after serving for 16 years on the Lincoln City Council, Helen Boosalis made history by becoming the first woman to serve as mayor of the city of Lincoln.

List

This is a list of mayors of Lincoln, Nebraska.

#ImageNamePartyTerm beganTerm endedNotes
-April 10, 18691870title=Lincoln's first mayor-several choicesauthor=Jim McKeenewspaper=Lincoln Journal Stardate=April 21, 2002access-date=March 31, 2023url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/298255363/}}
-[[File:Charles Henry Gere, mayor of Lincoln.jpg100px]]Rep1870April 4, 1871title=Town Ordinancesnewspaper=Nebraska State Journaldate=June 17, 1870access-date=March 31, 2023quote=C. H. Gere, Charimanurl=https://www.newspapers.com/image/313727862/}}
1[[File:William F. Chapin Nebraska.jpg100px]]Reptitle=2020-21 Nebraska Blue Bookauthor=State of Nebraskapage=393url=http://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/l3000/D001-202021.pdf}}
2Rep
3Dem
4Temp
5[[File:Col. Amasa Cobb, 5th Wis. Inf - NARA - 527300.jpg100px]]RepPreviously served as a U.S. representative from Wisconsin; Later served as a Nebraska Supreme Court Justice
6DemPreviously served as the 3rd mayor
7[[File:Harvey W. Hardy.jpg100px]]Rep
8Rep
9Rep
10Rep
11[[File:Robert E Moore Nebraska politician.jpg100px]]RepLater served as Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska
12Rep
13Ind
14Rep
15Ind
16Rep
17[[File:Hudson J. Winnett, mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska.jpg100px]]Rep
18Rep
19Dem
20Rep
21Reptitle=Commission is in Officenewspaper=Nebraska State Journaldate=May 14, 1913access-date=April 1, 2023url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/313921026/quote=Councilman Dayton moved that they proceed to the election of a mayor by ballot. Four votes were recorded for Mr. Zehrung....}}
22RepFirst mayor since Charles H. Gere in 1870 to be elected mayor not by the voters but by a majority vote of the Lincoln City Council from its own membership
23[[File:Gov. Chas. W. Bryan, (7-12-24) LOC npcc.11808 (cropped).jpg100px]]DemLater became Governor of Nebraska
24DemKnown for being a cofounder of Miller & Paine, a department store in downtown Lincoln
25RepPreviously served as the 22nd mayor
26Rep
27RepPreviously served as the 20th mayor
28RepPreviously Served as the 22nd and 25th mayor
29Rep
30[[File:Gov. Chas. W. Bryan, (7-12-24) LOC npcc.11808 (cropped).jpg100px]]Demtitle=All Incumbents Are Defeated; 7-Member Amendment Adoptednewspaper=Lincoln Stardate=May 8, 1935access-date=April 1, 2023url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/310254733/}} Previously served as the 23rd mayor and as the Governor of Nebraska
31[[File:Oren S. Copeland (Nebraska Congressman).jpg100px]]Rep1940 US House of Representatives election]] in Nebraska's 1st congressional district; Served as a member of the US House of Representatives
32RepSelected by the Lincoln City Council to finish Mayor Copeland's unexpired term; Served as the chairman of the board of Miller & Paine, replacing John E. Miller, a former Lincoln mayor, in that position
33Rep
34Rep
35DemResigned in order to run as a Democratic candidate in the 1950 US House of Representatives election in Nebraska's 1st congressional district against Republican incumbent Carl Curtis
36RepServed as "Acting Mayor" after the resignation of Mayor Miles by virtue of his position as Vice President of the Lincoln City Council while the council searched for Mayor Miles' replacement, which took over a month due to disagreements among council members as to who should be named mayor
37[[File:Gov. Victor Andeson.jpg100px]]RepSelected by the Lincoln City Council to finish Mayor Miles' unexpired term; Later became Governor of Nebraska
38Reptitle=Mayor Jeary to Quit Office by Sept. 15, Accept Bank Positionauthor=Del Snodgrassdate=July 9, 1956access-date=March 30, 2023newspaper=Lincoln Evening Journalurl=https://www.newspapers.com/image/313413397/}}
39Reptitle=Councilman Bennett Martin To Replace Jeary as Mayorauthor=Del Snodgrassdate=July 22, 1956access-date=March 30, 2023newspaper=Lincoln Journal Starurl=https://www.newspapers.com/image/313424550/}}
40DemResigned after being appointed as a Lancaster County District Court Judge by Nebraska Governor Frank B. Morrison
41RepSelected by the Lincoln City Council to finish Mayor Boyles' unexpired term
42Reptitle=Tyrell New Mayor; Action Lacking on His Replacementauthor=Leo Schererdate=January 7, 1963access-date=March 30, 2023newspaper=Lincoln Evening Journalurl=https://www.newspapers.com/image/313338488/}}
43Dem
44[[File:Helen Boosalis.jpg100px]]DemGovernor of Nebraska in 1986]]
45[[File:Roland A. Luedtke.png100px]]RepPreviously served as Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature and as Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska before becoming Lincoln mayor
46Dem
47[[File:Mike Johanns official Senate photo.jpg100px]]RepResigned to become Governor of Nebraska
48RepSelected by the Lincoln City Council to finish Mayor Johanns' unexpired term
49Dem
50Dem
51[[File:Chris Beutler 2011.jpg100px]]Demtitle=Beutler reflects on his legacyauthor=Riley Johnsonnewspaper=Lincoln Journal Stardate=May 19, 2019access-date=March 30, 2023url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/592972927/}}
52[[File:L-23-02-23-A-014 (52707370491) (closer crop).jpg100px]]DemPresent

Notes

References

References

  1. "Lincoln City Charter, Article IV, Section 12".
  2. "Lincoln City Charter, Article IV, Section 1".
  3. "Lincoln City Charter, Article IV, Section 11".
  4. Nancy Hicks. (November 7, 2018). "Beutler can't run again". Lincoln Journal Star.
  5. "Lincoln City Charter, Article IV, Section 19".
  6. (March 2, 1883). "Municipal Law, Cities of the Second Class: The New Code for the Government of the City of Lincoln". Daily State Journal.
  7. "Past Mayors".
  8. (December 2, 1880). "A Pleasant Affair: A Farewell Tribute to a Worthy Man and a Good Citizen". Daily State Journal.
  9. (December 30, 1876). "Medical". Daily State Journal.
  10. (October 3, 1876). "The State Medical Society: Their Proceedings at the Convention Held in this City Last Week". Daily State Journal.
  11. (January 15, 1870). "Town Ordinance". Nebraska State Journal.
  12. Jim McKee. (April 21, 2002). "Lincoln's first mayor-several choices". Lincoln Journal Star.
  13. A. T. Andreas. (1882). "History of the State of Nebraska". The Western Historical Company.
  14. (April 17, 1869). "Proceedings of the Board of Town Trustees". Nebraska State Journal.
  15. (April 10, 1872). "The City". Daily State Journal.
  16. (April 2, 1874). "Temperance Mass Meeting". Daily State Journal.
  17. (April 10, 1874). "Victory! Victory! The Entire Republican Ticket Elected!". Nebraska State Journal.
  18. (April 12, 1874). "Meeting of the City Council". Daily State Journal.
  19. (April 8, 1876). "The Funding of the City Debt". Nebraska State Journal.
  20. (April 15, 1875). "Official Directory". Daily State Journal.
  21. (April 17, 1875). "Official Directory". Daily State Journal.
  22. (April 12, 1876). "Meeting of the City Council: Retirement of the Old Board and Inauguration of the New". Daily State Journal.
  23. (April 13, 1877). "Council Meeting: The Old and the New". Daily State Journal.
  24. (April 15, 1879). "Down and Out and In and Up". Daily State Journal.
  25. (April 20, 1880). "The Old and the New". Daily State Journal.
  26. (April 2, 1882). "Republican Nominating Convention: A Very Harmonious Convention and a Very Strong Ticket Nominated". Nebraska State Journal.
  27. (April 11, 1882). "The Old and New: Mayor Wright Steps Down and Out, and Mayor Doolittle Takes the Reins". Daily Nebraska State Journal.
  28. (April 10, 1883). "The Old and the New: The One Steps Down and Out and the Other In and Up". Daily State Journal.
  29. (April 14, 1885). "Council Meeting: Mayor Moore Steps Out and Mayor Burr Steps in". Daily Evening News.
  30. (April 13, 1887). "Sawyer Seated". Daily Nebraska State Journal.
  31. (April 3, 1889). "By Big Majorities: The Republican City Ticket Elected". Daily Nebraska State Journal.
  32. (April 10, 1889). "Mayor Graham Delivers His First Message to the City Council". Daily Nebraska State Journal.
  33. (April 15, 1891). "The New Administration: Mayor Weir's Inaugural Address". Daily Nebraska State Journal.
  34. (April 9, 1895). "The Old and the New: Mayor Frank Graham Takes the Oath of Office". Lincoln Evening Call.
  35. (April 11, 1899). "New Mayor Installed with Simple Ceremony". Lincoln Evening News.
  36. (April 14, 1903). "The New Officers Were Sworn In: Mr. Adams and His Political Associates are Now in Office". Lincoln Star.
  37. (April 14, 1905). "Mayor Brown Takes the Reins: Inaugurated Monday Night Without Display for Flare of Trumpets". Lincoln Herald.
  38. (May 11, 1909). "Love Wins By Margin of 46". Lincoln Star.
  39. (May 3, 1911). "Lincoln Goes Wet". Nebraska State Journal.
  40. (May 9, 1911). "New Administration Is Now in Control". Lincoln Star.
  41. (May 14, 1913). "Commission is in Office". Nebraska State Journal.
  42. (May 10, 1915). "Zehrung and King Ready for Change: Mayor and Commissioner of Safety Make Way for New Officials". Lincoln Star.
  43. (May 11, 1915). "New Officers Take Places: Bryan Is Mayor and Wright Safety Man". Nebraska State Journal.
  44. (May 7, 1917). "Makes Its Farewell Bow: Old City Council Completes Business—J. E. Miller Succeeds Bryan As Mayor". Lincoln Daily News.
  45. (May 9, 1921). "Bryan Visited Men Who Select Mayor". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  46. (March 25, 1938). "Tribute Is Paid By S. A. R. To Patriotic Work Of J. E. Miller". Lincoln Star.
  47. (May 9, 1921). "Zehrung is Mayor of Lincoln: City Council Turns Down Bryan Plea". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  48. (May 9, 1927). "Mayor Hedge, New Council Take Office". Lincoln Star.
  49. (May 13, 1929). "New Council Sits Around Big Table". Evening State Journal.
  50. (May 10, 1931). "New City Building One of Many Jobs". Nebraska State Journal.
  51. (May 8, 1935). "New Members City Council Take Office". Lincoln Star.
  52. (May 13, 1935). "Members are Sworn in at the City Hall". Evening State Journal.
  53. (May 8, 1935). "All Incumbents Are Defeated; 7-Member Amendment Adopted". Lincoln Star.
  54. (May 11, 1940). "Seven Man Council Assumes Its Duties". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  55. (February 29, 1940). "Mayor Copeland Resigns; Making Congress Race". Lincoln Star.
  56. (March 22, 1944). "Delegates to the State Conventions, 20th District". Lincoln Evening State Journal.
  57. (March 4, 1940). "R. E. Campbell Becomes New Mayor". Lincoln Star.
  58. (September 11, 1940). "Miller & Paine Department Store Marks 60th Birthday". Nebraska State Journal.
  59. (May 12, 1941). "New mayor, council sworn in at city hall". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  60. (April 17, 1948). "Miles, Marti Top List of Candidates". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  61. (May 10, 1943). "Margin goes to Wilkinson in tight race". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  62. (May 12, 1947). "City Council Takes Office; 3 New Faces". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  63. (June 9, 1950). "Mayor Miles Makes Filing On Demo Congress Slate: Tells Intent To Resign City Office". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  64. (July 31, 1950). "Pansing Is Named Fill Mayor Post". Lincoln Star.
  65. [[Dale E. Fahrnbruch]]. (August 29, 1950). "Back Stage Bargaining on Mayor Post Revealed". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  66. Jeff Withrow. (September 8, 1950). "Victor Anderson To Give Answer Monday As Mayor Selection". Lincoln Star.
  67. Jeff Withrow. (September 11, 1950). "Anderson Accepts Post As Lincoln Mayor; Promises Clean-Cut Decisions". Lincoln Star.
  68. Del Snodgrass. (July 9, 1956). "Mayor Jeary to Quit Office by Sept. 15, Accept Bank Position". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  69. Del Snodgrass. (July 22, 1956). "Councilman Bennett Martin To Replace Jeary as Mayor". Lincoln Journal Star.
  70. (December 27, 1958). "Wishart Says Will Testify". Lincoln Journal Star.
  71. (February 3, 1959). "Grant New Deputy Election Commissioner". Lincoln Journal Star.
  72. (December 25, 1962). "Mayor's Post Opening Eyed". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  73. Virgil Falloon. (January 1, 1963). "Boyle Resigns; No Successor Named". Lincoln Star.
  74. (April 4, 1956). "County Board Post Sought by Tyrrell". Lincoln Journal Star.
  75. Virgil Falloon. (January 8, 1963). "Tyrrell Unanimous Choice for Mayor". Lincoln Star.
  76. Leo Scherer. (January 7, 1963). "Tyrell New Mayor; Action Lacking on His Replacement". Lincoln Evening Journal.
  77. Mark Andersen. (December 1, 1998). "Young becomes mayor as Johanns steps down". Lincoln Journal Star.
  78. Riley Johnson. (May 19, 2019). "Beutler reflects on his legacy". Lincoln Journal Star.
  79. "Lincoln City Charter, Article III, Section 4".
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