George Fenger

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{{Short description|American politician (1925–1993)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = George Fenger
| office = Member of the [[Nebraska Legislature]] from the 45th district
| term_start = January 7, 1981
| term_end = January 9, 1985
| predecessor = [[Frank Lewis (Nebraska politician)|Frank Lewis]]
| successor = [[Paul Hartnett]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1925|2|15}}
| birth_place = [[Omaha, Nebraska]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1993|9|11|1925|2|15}}
| death_place = [[Bellevue, Nebraska]]
| education = [[University of Nebraska–Lincoln]]
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Jean Bennett|1950}}
| children = 3 (Caroly, Caryn, George)
| occupation = Service station owner-operator, real estate and marine sales
| allegiance = {{flag|United States}}
| branch = {{navy|United States}}
| service_years = 1943–1946
}}

'''George Fenger''' (February 15, 1925{{spaced ndash}}September 11, 1993) was a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] politician from [[Nebraska]] who served as a member of the [[Nebraska Legislature]] from the 45th district from 1981 to 1985.

==Early life==
Fenger was born in [[Omaha, Nebraska]], in 1925.<ref name="blue book">{{cite book|title=Nebraska Blue Book 1982-1983|publisher=Nebraska Legislative Council|date=1983|page=270|url=https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/l3000/D001-198283.pdf|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> He graduated from [[Omaha South High School]] in 1942 and attended the [[University of Nebraska–Lincoln]], but did not graduate.<ref name="blue book"/> He served in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] in [[World War II]] from 1943 to 1946.<ref name="dies">{{cite news|title=Ex-Bellevue Senator Fenger Dies|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=September 12, 1993|location=|page=26|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/194055035/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> Finger owned and operated several businesses, including a real estate firm, a marine sales business, and service stations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hornbeck|first=Gene|title=Bellevue Opportunist Fills Need for Family Sailing Craft|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=February 13, 1972|location=|page=6-C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195509621/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref><ref name="blue book"/>

In 1968, Fenger ran for the [[Sarpy County, Nebraska|Sarpy County]] Board of Supervisors from the 3rd district.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nine Men Seek Sarpy Board Seat|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=March 17, 1968|location=|page=7-B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195509282/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> He lost to Norman Magnusson, the president of the [[Bellevue, Nebraska|Bellevue]] City Council, in the Republican primary.<ref>{{cite news|title=Smock, Sarpy County Board Chairman, Lags in Election|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=May 15, 1968|location=|page=11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195509767/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref>

Fenger challenged Sarpy County Sheriff Richard Whitted for re-election in the 1970 Republican primary.<ref>{{cite news|title=5 Candidates Aren't Listed|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=March 16, 1970|location=|page=5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195509968/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> During the campaign, Whitted was charged with committing perjury when testifying before a federal grand jury, but he declined to drop out of the race.<ref>{{cite news|last=Billotte|first=Billotte|title=Whitted Says He'll Stay on Ballot|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=April 16, 1970|location=|page=25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195509993/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> Whitted defeated Fender and policeman Richard Hertzig in the Republican primary,<ref>{{cite news|title=Whitted Gets Nod in Sarpy|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=May 13, 1970|location=|page=4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195510062/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> but Fenger continued his campaign in the general election as a write-in candidate,<ref>{{cite news|title=Fenger Is 2nd Write-in In Sarpy Sheriff Race|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=October 7, 1970|location=|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195510114/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> but placed sixth, behind Whitted, the Democratic nominee, an independent candidate, and two other write-in candidates.<ref>{{cite news|title=Whitted Feels 'Proud' In Sarpy County Win|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=November 4, 1970|location=|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195510151/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref>

He challenged [[Bellevue, Nebraska|Bellevue]] Mayor Robert Haworth for re-election in 1974 in the nonpartisan primary,<ref>{{cite news|last=Ivey|first=James|title=7 Trying to Unseat Mayor of Bellevue|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=April 29, 1974|location=|page=4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195510209/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> but Haworth ultimately won.<ref>{{cite news|title=City Councilman Wins Over Papillion Mayor|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=May 15, 1974|location=|page=4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195510261/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref>

==Nebraska Legislature==
In 1980, Fenger ran against incumbent State Senator [[Frank Lewis (Nebraska politician)|Frank Lewis]], a Democrat, in the eastern Sarpy County-based 45th district.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fenger to Run In District 45|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=January 16, 1980|location=|page=4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195510357/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> In the primary election, Lewis placed first by a wide margin, winning 60 percent of the vote to Fenger's 40 percent.<ref name="1980 results">{{cite book|title=Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 13, 1980, General Election, November 4, 1980|last=Beermann|first=Allen J.|publisher=Nebraska Secretary of State|year=1980|url=https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/S1200/S001-1980prim_gen.pdf|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> They both advanced to the general election,<ref>{{cite news|last=Partsch|first=Frank|title=Two Legislators Get Early Scare|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=May 14, 1980|location=|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195164370/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> where Fenger defeated Lewis, winning 54–46 percent.<ref name="1980 results"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kelly|first1=Michael|last2=Thompson|first2=David|title=GOP's Swath Nicks Senators From Metropolitan Area, Too|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=November 5, 1980|location=|page=37|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/194376341/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref>

Fenger ran for re-election in 1984, and was challenged by [[Paul Hartnett]], a [[Creighton University]] professor, and Ralph Tate, a retired [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] lieutenant colonel, both of whom were members of the Bellevue School Board.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hartnett Files For Legislature|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=January 19, 1984|location=|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195510641/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ivey|first=James|title=Fenger Sees 'Tough Fight' to Keep Seat|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=May 10, 1984|location=|page=41|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195510814/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> Hartnett placed first over Fenger in the primary election, receiving 42 percent of the vote to Fenger's 36 percent and Tate's 23 percent.<ref name="1984 results">{{cite book|title=Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 15, 1984, General Election, November 6, 1984|last=Beermann|first=Allen J.|publisher=Nebraska Secretary of State|year=1984|url=https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/S1200/S001-1984prim_gen.pdf|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> Hartnett and Fenger advanced to the general election,<ref>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Fred|title=2 Built Leads by Talking to Voters|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=May 16, 1984|location=|page=46|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195510886/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> where Hartnett narrowly won, receiving 52 percent of the vote to Fenger's 48 percent.<ref name="1984 results"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Stingley|first=Steven|title=Democrats Gain in Non-Party Legislature; Parties Trade Charges|newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]|date=November 8, 1984|location=|page=24|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/195510946/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref>

==Death==
Finger died on September 11, 1993.<ref name="dies"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fenger, George}}

[[Category:1925 births]]
[[Category:1993 deaths]]
[[Category:Nebraska state senators]]
[[Category:People from Omaha, Nebraska]]
[[Category:People from Bellevue, Nebraska]]
[[Category:University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni]]
[[Category:Nebraska Republicans]]
[[Category:American real estate brokers]]
[[Category:20th-century Nebraska politicians]]