NEBRASKA CITY - Nancy Hoch was a forerunner for women and politics, running on the same ballot as former Nebraska Gov. Kay Orr, who became the first Republican woman elected governor in America, and against Helen Boosalis, the first female elected mayor of Lincoln.

Hoch, who died in May of 2021, is remembered for her roles on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and economic development in her hometown of Nebraska City. She made history by becoming the first woman to be nominated for a United States Senate seat from Nebraska. 

At age 49, she ran a close race against two-term incumbent U.S. Sen. James Exon, winning 44 counties. In her 1986 campaign for governor, Hoch was billed as "an old timer" in the Republican Party with growth of agriculture at the foremost of her campaign. 

And although Hoch's run for governor came up short, her ideas and presence can still be seen around Nebraska today.

  • Director of Economic Development
  • Research Park
  • B-52 Bomber displayed on Interstate-80

Economic development was a key cog in the wheel of Hoch's campaign, and she thought further, and successful economic development would spill over into other areas of the state such as education and tourism. 

Hoch thought the state could do more to enhance the state economy and she wanted to work with business leaders from all over the state.

To begin, Hoch needed to work with the Department of Economic Development (DED) which was founded in 1967. The goal of the DED is to grow and diversify the state's economic base, bringing in new people and more money to Nebraska.

But to progress Nebraska's economic development, Hoch needed to appoint the right person for that role.

Hoch: "I will choose an economic development director purely from the standpoint of professionalism, compatibility with Nebraska's needs and the ability to get the job done, not because of political persuasion."

In 1986, Hoch didn't want just anyone as director of the DED. And while she may not have known exactly who she wanted in the role, she knew who she didn't want.

Hoch: "It is imperative that this crucial agency be placed under the direction of a true professional in the field of economic development. Reliance on political cronies to head this department is disastrous and I promise to bring a reversal to this practice."

She proposed a global market with the governor taking a vital leadership role to make sure Nebraska was able to compete with other states and economies. She also proposed adding an international marketing division to the DED.

Today, the Director of the DED is Anthony Goins. Goins was selected by Gov. Pete Ricketts in 2019. Goins wants to pursue new and expanded economic opportunities on behalf of all Nebraskans.

Goins wants to grow Nebraska just like Hoch did.

Hoch: "We must make it clear that, in Nebraska, profit is not a dirty word, but rather an honorable objective."

In terms of a research park, Hoch was ahead of her time in Nebraska. She wanted the park on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

A similar idea was being brought to life at the University of Missouri-Kansas City at the same time and Hoch envisioned that same idea for Nebraska. 

Hoch: "States on the cutting edge of progress (in economic development) today have made higher education the cornerstone of their plans."

The research park would allow additional tax base revenues for the state along with research from studies on the campus. 

Fast forward to 2012, UNL began construction on its Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC), located east of the school's main campus. NIC connects talent, companies and the university to create a unique culture of innovation. 

NIC now facilitates relationships between the university and the private-sector. Using the private-sector is something Hoch wanted to utilize as governor. 

Hoch defended Nebraska's potential as a tourist destination and not just a place to pass through to get gas on the way to another stop. She didn't just want to have people visit Nebraska, but wanted to find innovative ways to elongate their stays, too.

She said tourism would get the support and attention it deserves under her leadership.

She thought one of the best ways to do this was to take advantage of Interstate-80, which extends East to West across the entire state. She added I-80 provides Nebraska with a "corridor of opportunity" to showcase and market the state.

Hoch: "Two out of three I-80 motorists never get away from the Interstate. Of the travelers who do visit some Nebraska attractions, about half decide to do so after arriving in the state."

One of Hoch's biggest ideas was to place a B-52 bomber fighter plane along the interstate to alert travelers about the Strategic Air and Space Museum (SAC) in Ashland. In her mind, it was something unique Interstate-goers would be intrigued by, causing them to stop and check it out.

And if at worse, onlookers could take a second look, or take photographs to show family and friends back home, which provides free advertisement. 

Although the B-52 bomber never got displayed on I-80, there is a B-52 Stratofortress bomber on display inside the SAC museum. There is also a B-52 bomber displayed at Zorinsky Memorial Air Park at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue. 

Today, a different, smaller fighter jet is on display at mile marker 428 before the exit to the SAC museum in Ashland. 

Travelers see the jet and know that just around the corner, a fun tourist destination awaits.

Hoch: "What parents could get their children past that?"