Cap Dierks

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Merton L. "Cap" Dierks (born July 2, 1932 in O'Neill, Nebraska) is a Nebraska state senator from Ewing, Nebraska, United States, in the Nebraska Legislature.

[edit] Personal life

He was born on July 2, 1932, in O'Neill, Nebraska and graduated from Ewing High School in 1950. He later graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture and served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1958 before earning his D.V.M. from Kansas State University in 1961. He is married and has four children. Prior to being elected to the State Legislature, Dierks served on the Ewing Public Board of Education from 1969 to 1984, and returned to serve briefly on that board again from 2004 to 2006. He has also served on the Board of Directors for St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill, Nebraska and is a former president of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association.

[edit] State Legislature

Dierks was first elected to the Legislature in 1986 and was re-elected in 1990, 1994, and 1998 to represent the 40th Legislative District. Re-districting following the 2000 Census forced him to run against incumbent Doug Cunningham. Cunningham won the election. When newly enacted term limits prevented Cunningham from seeking re-election in 2006, Dierks ran successfully for the seat. Because Nebraska's legislative term limits deal only with consecutive terms, Dierks will be eligible to seek another term in 2010. The district currently includes Cedar, Knox, and Pierce counties, as well as part of Holt County. Communities in the district include O'Neill, Crofton, Creighton, Pierce, Randolph, Hartington and Laurel. He currently sits on the Revenue (vice chairperson), Agriculture, and General Affairs committees, as well as the Committee on Committees.

Preceded by John DeCamp	Nebraska state senator - District 40 1987-2003	Succeeded by Doug Cunningham
Preceded by Doug Cunningham	Nebraska state senator - District 40 2007 – present	Incumbent