Gerald T. Whelan

Gerald T. Whelan (May 14, 1925 – January 2, 1993) was an American politician who served as the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska from 1975 to 1979.

Gerald Whelan
30th Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska
In office January 9, 1975 – January 4, 1979
Governor	J. James Exon
Preceded by	Frank Marsh
Succeeded by	Roland A. Luedtke
Personal details
Born	May 14, 1925 Hastings, Nebraska
Died	January 2, 1993 (aged 67)
Political party	Democratic

Whelan was born in Hastings, Nebraska on May 14, 1925. He graduated from University of Nebraska–Lincoln, obtained a law degree from Creighton University, and practiced law in Hastings.[1]

In 1960, Whelan won the Democratic nomination to run for Nebraska's 1st congressional district, and lost to incumbent Republican Phillip Hart Weaver in the general election.[2]

Whelan, with the endorsement of Democratic governor J. James Exon, beat longtime Nebraska politician Terry Carpenter in the Democratic primary in May 1974 for lieutenant governor, and went on to win the general election.[3][4] In the 1978 election, Whelan ran for Nebraska Governor, but lost to Charles Thone.[5]

Personal

Whelan married Virginia Kellison (1927-2010) in 1948 and had four children together.[6]

References

1. The National Conference of Lieutenant Governors ... biographical sketches and portraits (1976)
2. ( May 11, 1960). Kennedy, Nixon, Easy Victors In Nebraska, Eugene Register-Guard
3. (May 15, 1974)). Governor of Nebraska is Renominated, St. Joseph News-Press
4. (16 May 1974). Exon Big Winner In Nebraska Race, The New York Times
5. (November 6, 1978). Governor Wins Senate Seat In Nebraska, Pittsburgh Press
6. (January 24, 2010) Obituary: Virginia M. Whelan, Lincoln Journal Star