ne_gov_HOPPNER
BILL HOPPNER
Age: 48 Born: February 2, 1950; Pender, Nebraska Education: University of Nebraska - Lincoln , J.D. (1972), B.A. (1969) Military: None Family: Married - Nancy; Two children Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska Religion: Lutheran Career: Business consultant (1995-present); Executive Vice President, International Transportation Specialists (1985-95); Chief of Staff for Governor Kerrey (1982-85); Chief of Staff for Senator Jim Exon (1978-82); legal counsel for Governor Jim Exon (1972-78) |
• Hoppner was born and raised in Nebraska. His father, also named Bill, worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps after the Great Depression. He later sold insurance and did bookkeeping and tax work and also served as Thurston County Democratic Party chairman. His mother still lives in the house in which Hoppner grew up.
• Hoppner attended college at the University of Nebraska. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Tonjes. They have been married for 30 years and have two daughters.
• Hoppner has been active in politics since he was young. During college he campaigned for Clair Callan for Congress and Jim Exon for Governor, and he worked for Exon after graduating from law school. He was ExonÂ's legal counsel for six years and then became ExonÂ's chief of staff for four years when he was elected to the U.S. Senate. Hoppner also served as chief of staff for Governor Bob Kerrey for three years.
• In 1985, Hoppner joined International Transportation Specialists, an intermodal transportation corporation, where he served as executive vice president. He left in 1995 to become a consultant.
• In 1990, Hoppner made a run for governor and lost in the closest election in state history. In the Democratic primary, he fell just 42 votes short of defeating Ben Nelson, who went on to be elected governor.
• This time around, in the 1998 Democratic primary, Hoppner easily won the nomination, defeating former State Senator James McFarland by a margin of 2-1.