DiAnna Schimek | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 27 district | |
| In office 1989–2009 | |
| Preceded by | Stephanie Johanns |
| Succeeded by | Colby Coash |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 21, 1940 Holdrege, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Alma mater | Kearney State College |
DiAnna Schimek (born March 21, 1940)[1] is a politician from Nebraska who has served in the Nebraska Legislature and the Lincoln City Council.
Personal life
She was born on March 21, 1940, in Holdrege, Nebraska, and graduated from Alma High School in 1958. She attended Colorado Women's College and University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated from Kearney State College in 1963. She also did some graduate work at both the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Kearney State College. She is a past member of boards of directors for the First Security National Bank, Women in Community Service Home for Girls, and Nebraska Repertory Theatre. She won the YWCA Tribute to Women Award in 1992. Her husband is named Herbert, and they have two children, Samuel Wolfgang and Saul William.[1]
Early political activity
Schimek was a member of the Democratic National Committee from 1976 to 1988,[1] and unsuccessfully ran for state treasurer in 1986.[2]
State Legislature
Schimek was elected in 1988 to represent the 27th Nebraska legislative district and reelected in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. In 2007, she sat on the Business and Labor and Urban Affairs committees as well as the Committee on Committees and chairs the Government, Military and Veterans' Affairs.[1]
Schimek was largely responsible for the enactment of Nebraska's method of apportioning electoral votes in presidential elections by congressional district (see Electoral College (United States): Congressional District Method). She has described the system as "one that I think will energize the electorate and perhaps even bring more candidates to Nebraska, although certainly that wasn't the overall selling point that I used."[4]
Schimek introduced legislation in 2005 giving Nebraskans with felony convictions the right to vote two years after serving their sentences.[5] Schimek co-sponsored legislation granting in-state University of Nebraska tuition to children of undocumented immigrants who graduate from Nebraska's high schools.[6]
In 2007 Schimek unsuccessfully ran for the position of speaker of the Legislature, a position won by Mike Flood.[7] She left the legislature in 2008.[2]
Lincoln City Council
In September 2011, Schimek was appointed to replace Jane Snyder, who resigned for health reasons, on the Lincoln City Council.[8] She took her seat on October 10, 2011 to represent one of the at-large seats.[9] She did not seek reelection to the council in 2013.[10]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Sen. DiAnna Schimek (District 27, Lincoln)". Nebraska Legislature. Archived from the original on June 14, 2006. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- 1 2 Munger, Lisa (April 14, 2008). "Schimek has provided voice for voiceless in Legislature". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
- ↑ "Group wants tax funding for Capitol fountains". Beatrice Daily Sun. December 16, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ↑ Roller, Emma (January 25, 2013). "How Nebraska's Weird Electoral Vote System Came To Be". Slate. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- ↑ Young, JoAnne (June 21, 2016). "47 counties unclear on voting rights for ex-felons". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ↑ O'Hanlon, Kevin (June 16, 2012). "Immigration policy change has mixed reviews". Fremont Tribune. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ↑ "Changing Gears In Lincoln". WOWT. January 3, 2007. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- ↑ "Schimek joining Lincoln council". Omaha World-Herald. September 27, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- ↑ "Schimek takes city council job". Omaha World-Herald. October 11, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- ↑ "2 Republicans, 1 Democrat victorious in Lincoln election". Fremont Tribune. Retrieved May 8, 2013.