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List of mayors of Lincoln, Nebraska facts for kids

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Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska
L-23-02-23-A-014 (52707370491) (closer crop).jpg
Incumbent
Leirion Gaylor Baird

since May 20, 2019
Term length Four years
Formation 1871
First holder Humphrey D. Gilbert (de facto)
William F. Chapin (official)
Website https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Mayor

The Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska is the top leader of the city government in Lincoln, Nebraska. The mayor is in charge of running the city and making sure everything works well. They also represent the city at important events.

The mayor of Lincoln is chosen every four years. The election happens on the first Tuesday in May, every other odd-numbered year. The mayor and new city council members start their jobs on the second Monday after election day. Since November 2018, a mayor can only serve three terms in a row. Chris Beutler has been Lincoln's longest-serving mayor, holding the job for 12 years. If the mayor's job becomes empty, the Lincoln City Council votes to pick someone new. This happened most recently in 1998.

The mayor has many important jobs. They oversee all city departments and groups. They make sure city rules and laws are followed. The mayor also creates the city's yearly budget and approves big purchases. They work to help the city's businesses and industries grow. The mayor also chooses the leaders of city departments and other city workers, with the city council's approval.

History of Lincoln's Mayors

William F. Chapin Nebraska
William F. Chapin, first elected mayor of Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska, officially became a town on April 7, 1869. At first, a group of trustees managed the town, like a city council. The citizens of Lincoln then elected permanent trustees on May 3, 1869. These trustees chose a chairman. Even though there was no official "mayor" title yet, this chairman was basically the mayor. Humphrey D. Gilbert was Lincoln's first chairman in 1869, and Charles H. Gere was the second in 1870.

Lincoln became an official city on March 18, 1871. This change allowed citizens to directly vote for a mayor. The first mayor elected by the people was William F. Chapin. He was a lawyer and was chosen on April 4, 1871. For many years, mayors were elected every April for one-year terms.

In 1883, a new law changed things. Mayors in cities like Lincoln would now be elected for two-year terms. This continued until 1912. That year, Lincoln decided to try a "commission" style of government. Under this system, the city council members chose the mayor from among themselves. The people did not vote for the mayor directly anymore. This system lasted until 1935.

In 1935, Lincoln's voters changed the city rules again. The city council grew from five to seven members. More importantly, the mayor was once again directly elected by the people. However, the mayor was still a member of the city council. The mayor served a two-year term, while other council members served four years. Oren S. Copeland was the first mayor under this new plan in 1937.

Another big change happened in 1962. Voters decided to make the mayor's job separate from the city council. The mayor's term also became four years long. This made the mayor's job a full-time position. Dean H. Petersen was the first mayor elected under this system in 1963. This is still how Lincoln's city government works today.

In 1975, Helen Boosalis made history. After serving 16 years on the city council, she became the first woman to be mayor of Lincoln. In 1998, Mike Johanns became the first Lincoln mayor to be elected Governor of Nebraska while still serving as mayor. Other Lincoln mayors, like Charles W. Bryan and Victor E. Anderson, also became governor later.

List of Lincoln Mayors

This is a list of the people who have served as mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska.

# Image Name Party Term began Term ended Notes
- Gilbert, Humphrey D.Humphrey D. Gilbert April 10, 1869 1870 Was the first chairman of the Lincoln Board of Trustees, acting as the city's leader.
- Charles Henry Gere, mayor of Lincoln.jpg Gere, Charles HenryCharles Henry Gere Rep 1870 April 4, 1871 Was the second chairman of the Lincoln Board of Trustees, also acting as the city's leader.
1 William F. Chapin Nebraska.jpg Chapin, William F.William F. Chapin Rep April 4, 1871 April 10, 1872 First mayor directly elected by Lincoln citizens after the city was officially formed.
2 Brown, Erastus E.Erastus E. Brown Rep April 10, 1872 1873
3 Silver, Jr., Robert D.Robert D. Silver, Jr. Dem 1873 April 11, 1874
4 Little, Samuel W.Samuel W. Little Temp April 11, 1874 April 16, 1875
5 Col. Amasa Cobb, 5th Wis. Inf - NARA - 527300.jpg Cobb, AmasaAmasa Cobb Rep April 16, 1875 April 11, 1876 Had served as a US Representative from Wisconsin.
6 Silver, Jr., Robert D.Robert D. Silver, Jr. Dem April 11, 1876 April 11, 1877 Had previously served as the 3rd mayor.
7 Harvey W. Hardy.jpg Hardy, Harvey WesleyHarvey Wesley Hardy Rep April 11, 1877 April 14, 1879
8 Galey, Seth P.Seth P. Galey Rep April 14, 1879 April 19, 1880
9 Wright, John B.John B. Wright Rep April 19, 1880 April 10, 1882
10 Doolittle, JohnJohn Doolittle Rep April 10, 1882 April 9, 1883
11 Robert E Moore Nebraska politician.jpg Moore, Robert EmmettRobert Emmett Moore Rep April 9, 1883 April 13, 1885 Later became Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska.
12 Burr, Carlos C.Carlos C. Burr Rep April 13, 1885 April 12, 1887
13 Sawyer, Andrew J.Andrew J. Sawyer Ind April 12, 1887 April 9, 1889
14 Graham, Robert B.Robert B. Graham Rep April 9, 1889 April 14, 1891
15 Weir, Austin H.Austin H. Weir Ind April 14, 1891 April 8, 1895
16 Graham, Frank A.Frank A. Graham Rep April 8, 1895 April 10, 1899
17 Hudson J. Winnett, mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska.jpg Winnett, Hudson J.Hudson J. Winnett Rep April 10, 1899 April 13, 1903
18 Adams, George A.George A. Adams Rep April 13, 1903 April 10, 1905
19 Brown, Francis W.Francis W. Brown Dem April 10, 1905 May 11, 1909
20 Love, Don LathropDon Lathrop Love Rep May 11, 1909 May 8, 1911
21 Armstrong, Alvin H.Alvin H. Armstrong Rep May 8, 1911 May 13, 1913 Last mayor directly elected by voters until Mayor Copeland in 1937.
22 Zehrung, Frank C.Frank C. Zehrung Rep May 13, 1913 May 10, 1915 First mayor chosen by the city council, not by voters, since Charles H. Gere in 1870.
23 Gov. Chas. W. Bryan, (7-12-24) LOC npcc.11808 (cropped).jpg Bryan, Charles WaylandCharles Wayland Bryan Dem May 10, 1915 May 7, 1917 Later became Governor of Nebraska.
24 Miller, John EschelmanJohn Eschelman Miller Dem May 7, 1917 May 9, 1921 Known for helping start Miller & Paine, a department store.
25 Zehrung, Frank C.Frank C. Zehrung Rep May 9, 1921 May 9, 1927 Had previously served as the 22nd mayor.
26 Hedge, VerneVerne Hedge Rep May 9, 1927 May 13, 1929
27 Love, Don LathropDon Lathrop Love Rep May 13, 1929 May 11, 1931 Had previously served as the 20th mayor.
28 Zehrung, Frank C.Frank C. Zehrung Rep May 11, 1931 May 8, 1933 Had previously served as the 22nd and 25th mayor.
29 Fleming, Fenton B.Fenton B. Fleming Rep May 8, 1933 May 13, 1935
30 Gov. Chas. W. Bryan, (7-12-24) LOC npcc.11808 (cropped).jpg Bryan, Charles WaylandCharles Wayland Bryan Dem May 13, 1935 May 10, 1937 Last mayor chosen by the city council under the old system. Had also served as Governor of Nebraska.
31 Oren S. Copeland (Nebraska Congressman).jpg Copeland, Oren SturmonOren Sturmon Copeland Rep May 10, 1937 February 28, 1940 First mayor directly elected by the city's voters since Mayor Alvin Armstrong in 1911. He resigned to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
32 Campbell, Robert ErleRobert Erle Campbell Rep March 4, 1940 May 12, 1941 Chosen by the Lincoln City Council to finish Mayor Copeland's term.
33 Johnson, Richard O.Richard O. Johnson Rep May 12, 1941 May 10, 1943
34 Marti, Lloyd J.Lloyd J. Marti Rep May 10, 1943 May 12, 1947
35 Miles, Clarence GillespieClarence Gillespie Miles Dem May 12, 1947 July 31, 1950 Resigned to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
36 Pansing, Thomas R.Thomas R. Pansing Rep July 31, 1950 September 11, 1950 Served as "Acting Mayor" after Mayor Miles resigned.
37 Gov. Victor Andeson.jpg Anderson, Victor EmanuelVictor Emanuel Anderson Rep September 11, 1950 May 18, 1953 Chosen by the Lincoln City Council to finish Mayor Miles' term. Later became Governor of Nebraska.
38 Jeary, ClarkClark Jeary Rep May 18, 1953 July 30, 1956 Resigned to take a job at a bank.
39 Martin, Bennett S. (Abe)Bennett S. (Abe) Martin Rep July 30, 1956 May 18, 1959 Chosen by the Lincoln City Council to finish Mayor Jeary's term.
40 Boyles, Bartlett E. (Pat)Bartlett E. (Pat) Boyles Dem May 18, 1959 December 31, 1962 Resigned after being appointed as a judge.
41 Tyrrell, Dell L.Dell L. Tyrrell Rep January 7, 1963 May 20, 1963 Chosen by the Lincoln City Council to finish Mayor Boyles' term.
42 Petersen, Dean H.Dean H. Petersen Rep May 20, 1963 May 15, 1967 Lincoln's first "full-time" mayor elected for a four-year term. His office was separate from the city council.
43 Schwartzkopf, SamSam Schwartzkopf Dem May 15, 1967 May 19, 1975
44 Helen Boosalis.jpg Boosalis, HelenHelen Boosalis Dem May 19, 1975 May 16, 1983 First woman to serve as mayor of Lincoln.
45 Roland A. Luedtke.png Luedtke, Roland A.Roland A. Luedtke Rep May 16, 1983 May 18, 1987 Had served as Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature and Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska.
46 Harris, BillBill Harris Dem May 18, 1987 May 20, 1991
47 Mike Johanns official Senate photo.jpg Johanns, MikeMike Johanns Rep May 20, 1991 November 30, 1998 Resigned to become Governor of Nebraska.
48 Young, DaleDale Young Rep November 30, 1998 May 17, 1999 Chosen by the Lincoln City Council to finish Mayor Johanns' term.
49 Wesely, DonDon Wesely Dem May 17, 1999 May 19, 2003
50 Seng, Coleen J.Coleen J. Seng Dem May 19, 2003 May 14, 2007
51 Chris Beutler 2011.jpg Beutler, ChrisChris Beutler Dem May 14, 2007 May 20, 2019 Served the maximum of three terms in a row due to a new city rule.
52 L-23-02-23-A-014 (52707370491) (closer crop).jpg Baird, Leirion GaylorLeirion Gaylor Baird Dem May 20, 2019 Present
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