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
GovernorJ. James Exon
Preceded byFrank Marsh
Succeeded byRoland A. Luedtke
Personal details
BornMay 14, 1925
Hastings, Nebraska
DiedJanuary 2, 1993(1993-01-02) (aged 67)
Political partyDemocratic

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

edit

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

References

edit
Party political offices
Preceded by
Ronald E. Reagan
Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska
1974
Succeeded by
Orval Keyes
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Nebraska
1978
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska
1975–1979
Succeeded by