Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2006; re-elected 2010

Biography: Born Dec. 29, 1935, in Geneva.

Education: Graduate of Geneva High School; University of Nebraska – Lincoln (B.A.), 1957; Creighton Law School, (J.D.), 1964.

Family: Married Judy Throop, June 7, 1975; three children: Martha H. Hultgren, Andrew E. and J. Braden Nelson.

Occupation: Attorney.

Former: U.S. Naval Officer; disbursing and supply officer, U.S.S. Shelton (DD790); supply officer, Olathe Naval Air Station.

Military Service: U.S. Navy, 1957-1960; Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve (retired).

Member: Fellow, Nebraska Bar Foundation; Innocents Society, UNL; board of directors, Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation; Omaha Toastmasters Club 229; Kiwanis Club of Omaha, Inc. (president 2001-02); elder, trustee and chancel choir member, First Presbyterian Church, Omaha; Omaha Bar and Nebraska State Bar Associations, probate and trust section; Omaha Lawyer Referral Committee since 1972.

Former member: Chief deputy election commissioner, Douglas County, 1972-80; Omaha Central High School Parent-Educator-Pupil organization (co-president); Central High School Foundation (board member); administrative law judge, Nebraska Department of Labor; Douglas County and State Republican Central Committees; B.S.F. International, 1992-2001.

Read the Unicameral Update’s feature article on Sen. Nelson.