Nebraska: Women Take the Lead

Most American schoolchildren learn that Nebraska's outstanding political feature is its unique unicameral legislature. Last week voters in a statewide primary gave Nebraska an even more memorable feature: two women, Republican State Treasurer Kay Orr and Democrat Helen Boosalis, won their parties' nominations for Governor, thus setting the stage for the first all-woman gubernatorial race in U.S. history.

Both candidates have stronger credentials than a mere appeal to gender. Boosalis, 66, who won 44% of the vote against six opponents, was mayor of Lincoln for eight years, and as director of the department on aging has developed a strong constituency among Nebraska's large elderly population. Orr, 47, who defeated seven opponents with 39% of the vote, was the only G.O.P. candidate with statewide experience. Said she: "This is an opportunity to tell that what we have in Nebraska are open-minded people." The women will vie for the job now held by Bob Kerrey, 42, former companion of Actress Debra Winger; he is resigning after one term to pursue a future "different from being an elected politician."

Women politicians around the nation are in no quitting mood, especially this year. They are contending for governorships in other states, including Oregon and Arizo- na, and there could be as many as seven women Lieutenant Governors after the fall elections.