Jean Stothert

Jean Louise Stothert (née Wolf; born February 7, 1954) is an American politician and former nurse serving as the 51st mayor of Omaha, Nebraska. She is the first woman to hold the office and was sworn in as Mayor on June 10, 2013. She was re-elected on May 10, 2017,[1] and May 11, 2021.

Jean Stothert
51st Mayor of Omaha
Assumed office
June 10, 2013
Preceded byJim Suttle
Member of the Omaha City Council
from the 5th district
In office
2008–2013
Preceded byDan Welch
Succeeded byRich Pahls
Personal details
Born
Jean Louise Wolf

(1954-02-07) February 7, 1954
Wood River, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
Joe Stothert
​
​
(m. 1981; died 2021)​
Kevin O'Rourke
​
(m. 2022)​
Children2
EducationSeattle Pacific University (BS)
WebsiteOfficial website

Personal life

Jean Stothert was born on February 7, 1954, in Wood River, Illinois.[2][3] She earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Seattle Pacific University.

Stothert married Joe Stothert in 1981. He became a critical care surgery specialist at the Nebraska Medical Center. The couple had two children, and were married until Joe Stothert died by suicide at age 72.[3]

In May, 2022 she married Dr. J. Kevin O'Rourke. Dr. O'Rourke is a retired anesthesiologist who Stothert met when he was in medical school at St. Louis University and she was a critical care nurse at St. Louis University Hospital.

Career

Stothert began her career in nursing. Her 12 years as a critical care nurse and nursing manager included serving as head nurse at St. Louis University in Missouri. She was responsible for her department budgeting, hiring and staff management.

Politics

In 1997, Stothert was elected to the Millard Board of Education. She was re-elected for three terms, including 3 years as president of the board, serving until 2009.

Entering politics after she and her husband moved to Omaha, Stothert was a candidate for the Nebraska Legislature in 2006. She was defeated by Steve Lathrop by 14 votes (5073–5059).[4]

In 2009, Stothert was elected to the Omaha City Council (District 5), defeating Jon Blumenthal, 7401 to 4308.[5]

Mayor of Omaha

On June 29, 2012, Stothert announced her candidacy for Mayor of Omaha.[6] Stothert raised $513,124 for campaign, compared to $804,700 raised by Jim Suttle.[7] Stothert received 32.2% of votes in a primary election of April 2, 2013.[8]

She was elected mayor with 57.32% of votes, on May 14, 2013, defeating the incumbent mayor Jim Suttle.[9] She is the first woman to hold this office.[10] Stothert was re-elected in 2017, and won a historic third term[11] for Omaha Mayor in 2021.

See also

References
  1. Richardson, V. Democrat loses Omaha mayor's race after anti-Trump theme, abortion message flop: Voters elect Republican Jean Stothert to second term in nationally watched race. The Washington Times. May 10, 2017
  2. "Jean Stothert". The Women Leaders. July 28, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  3. Sullivan, Sean (May 15, 2013). "Meet Jean Stothert, Omaha's first elected woman mayor". Washington Post. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  4. "Nebraska Election 2006 Official General Election Results". Official Nebraska Government Website. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  5. "Official Election Results City of Omaha" (PDF). Douglas County Election Commission. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  6. Perez Jr., Juan (June 28, 2012). "Stothert, Welch join Omaha mayor's race". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  7. "Omaha's next mayor". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  8. "2013 Primary Election Unofficial Results". Douglas County Election Commission. April 2, 2013. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  9. Tysver, Robynn (May 15, 2013). "Jean Stothert wins by wide margin to become Omaha's first woman mayor". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  10. Perez Jr., Juan (May 19, 2013). "Jean Stothert urged to set new tone early". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  11. Mastre, Brian (January 5, 2021). "Candidates running for Omaha Mayor turn in signatures". WOWT. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
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