14 Facts About Edward Zorinsky

Edward Zorinsky was an American businessman and politician who served as a Democrat in the US Senate from 1976 until his death in 1987.

Edward Zorinsky was the first Jewish person elected to statewide office in Nebraska.

Edward Zorinsky's parents were Sonia and Hymie Zorinsky, both Russian Jewish immigrants.

Edward Zorinsky attended Saunders and Rosehill elementary schools and graduated from Central High School in 1945.

For twenty-three years, Edward Zorinsky worked in the wholesale tobacco and candy business.

Edward Zorinsky served in the US Army Reserve from 1949 to 1962.

Edward Zorinsky 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.

Edward Zorinsky earned a great deal of popularity due to his response to a blizzard and a series of tornadoes that hit Omaha in 1975.

Edward Zorinsky defeated Hess Dyas, a former state party chairman, for the Democratic nomination.

Edward Zorinsky was courted by the Republicans to rejoin their party in 1982.

Edward Zorinsky threatened to change parties in 1986, but ultimately never made the switch.

Edward Zorinsky 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.

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

The Edward Zorinsky Federal Building in Omaha is named in his honor.