Kerrey Won’t Seek Second Term as Nebraska Governor

Gov. Robert Kerrey, who made headlines because of his romance with actress Debra Winger, announced today that he will not seek a second term in 1986.

Kerrey, 42, a Democrat, said at a news conference that he enjoys political life, but “I feel it’s time to move on.” He declined to say what his future plans are.

Kerrey, who suffered the loss of his right leg and won a Congressional Medal of Honor in Vietnam, owns several restaurants in Lincoln and Omaha. He came from political obscurity to win the closest Nebraska gubernatorial race in 24 years when he upset Republican Gov. Charles Thone in 1982. Campaign expenditures totaled $1.9 million, making the race the most expensive in Nebraska history.

Kerrey was divorced in 1978. He and Winger began dating in 1983 when she was in Lincoln for part of the filming of the Academy Award-winning movie, “Terms of Endearment.”