Edward Zorinsky

Q: When did Edward Zorinsky die?

Edward Zorinsky died on March 6, 1987 in Omaha.

Q: How old was Edward Zorinsky when they died?

Edward Zorinsky was 58 years old at the time of death.

Q: What was Edward Zorinsky's cause of death?

The cause of death of Edward Zorinsky was heart attack.

Q: When was Edward Zorinsky born?

Edward Zorinsky was born on November 11, 1928 in Omaha.

Q: What was Edward Zorinsky's occupation?

Edward Zorinsky was a politician.

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 (née Feldman) 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. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1949 to 1962. He enrolled at Harvard University in 1966 to pursue his graduate work, and later served as a member of the Nebraska Judicial Qualifications Commission from 1968 to 1971 and of the Board of Directors for Omaha Public Power District from 1969 to 1973. From 1973 to 1976, he served as Mayor of Omaha. He earned a great deal of popularity due to his response to a blizzard and a series of tornadoes that hit Omaha in 1975.

U.S. Senate

In 1976, Zorinsky, a lifelong Republican, decided to run for the U.S. Senate after 22-year incumbent Roman Hruska decided not to seek re-election. However, when it became apparent that he would not win the Republican nomination, he switched parties and ran as a conservative Democrat. He defeated Hess Dyas, a former state party chairman, for the Democratic nomination. 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

Zorinsky died after suffering a heart attack at the 1987 Omaha Press Club gridiron show, shortly after performing a song and dance routine.

After his death, one of the largest man-made lakes in Nebraska was named after him: Ed Zorinsky Lake and the surrounding Zorinsky Lake Park are located in the city of Omaha. The Edward Zorinsky Federal Building in Omaha is also named in his honor.

About Edward Zorinsky

How well do you know Edward Zorinsky?

Full Biography

Early life and career

U.S. Senate

Death and legacy

Test Your Knowledge – Trivia Challenge

Articles & News

Books & Media

Sources

1.What was Edward Zorinsky doing shortly before he died?

2.Which landmark in Omaha is named after Edward Zorinsky?

3.What is the name of the federal building in Omaha named in honor of Edward Zorinsky?

4.In what year was Edward Zorinsky born?

5.What degree did Edward Zorinsky earn from the University of Nebraska in 1949?

6.Which city served as the birthplace of Edward Zorinsky?

7.For how many years did Edward Zorinsky work in the wholesale tobacco and candy business?

8.During which years did Edward Zorinsky serve as the mayor of Omaha?

9.Which political party was Edward Zorinsky a member of when he was first elected mayor of Omaha?

10.What event helped Edward Zorinsky gain popularity while serving as the mayor of Omaha?

11.Who did Edward Zorinsky defeat to win the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in 1976?

12.In what year was Edward Zorinsky re-elected to his second term in the U.S. Senate?

13.Edward Zorinsky was the first person of which religious background to win a statewide election in Nebraska?

14.Which subcommittee did Edward Zorinsky chair in the U.S. Senate?

15.How did Edward Zorinsky die in 1987?

Explore the archive

People who died on March 6

Brian Windley

William Harry Stodalka

Árpád Sopsits

Ray Snowball

Related People

Zahidi Zainul Abidin

Masaaki Yamazaki

Satrucharla Vijaya Rama Raju

Jean Puech

Michael Bayham

Hamadou Moustapha

Clifford Huskilson

Ujjal Biswas

Spotted an error?