J. James Exon

John James "Jim" Exon (August 9, 1921 – June 10, 2005) was an American Democratic politician. He served as the Governor of Nebraska from 1971 to 1979, and as a U.S. Senator from Nebraska from 1979 to 1997. Exon was a Nebraska Democrat who never lost an election. He was elected and re-elected governor in 1970 & 1974, elected to the Senate in 1978, and re-elected in 1984 and 1990. He is the only Nebraskan besides George Norris, the architect of Nebraska's Unicameral, to win five consecutive statewide elections.

Early Career

Exon was born in Geddes, South Dakota in 1921 and attended the University of Omaha between 1939 and 1941. During World War II, Exon served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

Related Topics:
Geddes, South Dakota - University of Omaha - U.S. Army Signal Corps

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After the war, he worked as the branch manager of a financial services institution. He founded Exon Office Supplies in Lincoln in 1953 and served as its president until 1971. Nebraska's Secretary of State refused to register Exxon because he considered the name was too similar to Exon's company. Exxon paid him to give his approval and was licensed in during his first term as Governor. Exon has not revealed how much he received.

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He started his political career as a precinct worker for the Democrats. In 1964, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Nebraska and served as a delegate for that state in every convention between 1972 and 2004. He served as a member of the Nebraska Democratic State Central Committee between 1964 and 1968 and was a member of the Democratic National Committee from 1968 to 1970. Exon was Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party in 1970 when he decided to run for Governor.

Related Topics:
Democratic National Convention - Nebraska Democratic State Central Committee - Democratic National Committee

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