Merton Dierks

Merton Dierks
Nebraska State Senate District 40
Former member
Term in office began 2007
Term in office ended 2011
Political party	Non-partisan
Profession	Foreman / Senator

Merton Dierks (1932-) is a former member of the Nebraska State Legislature representing District 40. He was first Elected to Nebraska Legislature in 1986, and was re-elected 1990, 1994 and 1998. After an absence from the legislature, he was elected in 2006 and served until 2010.

Born July 2, 1932 in O'Neill, Nebraska, Sen. Dierks is a retired veterinarian from Ewing, Nebraska. He received his bachelor degree from the University of Nebraska in 1954, and later earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Kansas in 1961. Aside from his service in the Nebraska legislature, Sen Dierks served on the Ewing Public School Board of Education (1969-84; 2004-06)and was on the board of directors, St. Anthony’s Hospital, O’Neill. He is currently a member of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association (president); American Veterinary Medical Association. Along with his veterinary medicine practice, Sen. Dierks is also a rancher. He is currently married to Gloria Dierks with four children and is known to be Catholic.

Dierks earned his Bachelors degree in agriculture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1954 and his DVM from Kansas State University in 1961.

Dierks served in the United States Air Force in Korea for two years, beginning in 1954, as 1st Lieutenant. From 1961 to 1973 he was both the owner of and veterinarian within the Ewing Veterinary Practice. In 1973, he became a veterinarian of the O'Neill Veterinary Clinic until 1992. He currently works as a rancher.

Dierks served on the Ewing Board of Education from 1969 to 1984 and from 2004 to 2006. He served on the Nebraska State Senate as senator from 1987 to 2002 and resumed his position as senator in 2006. He currently serves in that regard.

Dierks is currently involved with a few non-legislative committees, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Knights of Columbus, and the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. He was previously involved with the American Legion, the United States Animal Health Association-Brucellosis Committee, Saint Anthony's Hospital, Ewing School Board, Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, Ewing Commercial Club, American Quarterhorse Association, Nebraska Stockgrowers Association, and the O'Neil Chamber of Commerce.

Dierks currently serves on the Organization for Competitive Markets.

Committees

• Agriculture Committee
• General Affairs Committee
• Revenue Committee

Elections

2010

See also: Nebraska State Senate elections, 2010

Dierks came in second in the primary, bested by Tyson Larsen by a margin of 3,002-2,769. Dierks was defeated by Larsen in the November 2, 2010 general election.

Nebraska State Senate, District 40 General election (2010)
Candidates		Votes
Tyson Larsen		5,583
Merton Dierks		5,085

2006

On November 7, 2006, Dierks won election to the 40th District Seat in the Nebraska Senate, defeating Tom Noecker.

Nebraska State Senate, District 40 (2006)
Candidates		Votes
Merton Dierks		7,856
Tom Noecker		3,936

Campaign donors

In 2008, a year he was not up for re-election, Dierks collected $2,582 in donations.

His three largest contributors in 2008 were:

Donor	Amount
Kutak Rock LLP	$750
Nebraska PAC	$500
Kaapa Ethanol	$300

Contact information

Sen. Cap Dierks
District 40
Room 2108
P.O. Box 94604
State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2801
Email: mdierks@leg.ne.gov

External links

Suggest a link

• Merton "Cap" Dierks official campaign website
• Merton Dierks official Nebraska State legislature website
• Project Vote Smart biographical profile
• Project Vote Smart legislative profile
• Campaign Contributions: 2010, 2008, 2006, 2002, 2000

References

Political offices
Preceded by -	Nebraska State Senate District 40 1987–2002, 2007-2011	Succeeded by Tyson Larson