Ernest Chambers

AKA: Ernie Chambers

Born 1937 Omaha, NE (USA)

Ernie Chambers is an African-American State Legislator who served a 38-year term in the Nebraska State Legislature representing the 11th District in Omaha, ended by new term limits in 2009. He later returned for another full 2 terms in the Legislature. Chambers is the longest-serving state senator in the history of Nebraska. He ran for a position on the Omaha School Board, but did not get elected. He also failed as a write-in candidate for the City Council. He is also the only African-American to have run for governor and the U.S. Senate in Nebraska's history. Chambers is famous for poetry on political topics, biting political speeches, and command of legislative procedure. Much of his poetry was handed out in the form of broadsheets in the legislative chamber at the State Capitol.

Chambers is a towering figure in the history of his Omaha community, and in the history of the Nebraska State Legislature. Omaha native Tekla Agbala Ali Johnson has written a political biography of Chambers: Free Radical: Ernest Chambers, Black Power and the Politics of Race. 2012.

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Places Lived

Omaha, NE

Author Of

Poetry
Biography

Keywords

Politics; Memoirs; Political Criticism; African-American Writers; State Legislature; Omaha, Nebraska

Education

Bachelor of Arts Degree, 1959, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
J.D., 1970, Creighton University, Omaha, NE

Occupation

Nebraska Legislator
Barber
Poet

Honors

“150 Notable Nebraskans”, Number 20 on the Journal Star Sesquicentennial List of Significant Nebraskans

Bibliography

Ernie Speaks for Himself. 1990. (with Marlin Pals)
Rhymes. 1991.
On the Record : The Floor Debate Transcripts of Senator Ernie Chambers 2018 Legislative Session. 2021.

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