No: 33
Date: 9/1/1986
Name: Helen Boosalis and Kay Orr
Candidates for governor at the time in an historical race - two women competing in a state that had never elected a woman governor - Boosalis is riding a Democratic donkey and Orr is riding a Republican elephant. Artist Jim Horan said during the unveiling that he ran out of gray paint after creating the caricature, because of the two veteran politicians' gray hair. Orr would go on to win the race, becoming not only Nebraska's first elected woman governor, but America's first Republican woman governor. Orr's husband, Bill, made his mark by writing a "First Gentleman's" cookbook. The first gentleman is now retired as vice president of Woodmen Accident Life. An Eagle Scout, he works with the Boy Scouts among other community groups in Lincoln. The former governor also is involved with charitable groups. A paperback book, "Prairie Politics: Kay Orr vs Helen Boosalis, the Historic 1986 Gubernatorial Race" was published. Back to Top