David Karnes David K. Karnes Office: U.S. Senator, Nebraska Political party: Republican Term of office: March 11, 1987-January, 1989 Preceded by: Edward Zorinsky (D) Succeeded by: Bob Kerrey (D) Born: December 12, 1948 Omaha, Nebraska Spouse: Dr. Elizabeth Karnes David Kemp Karnes, (Born December 12, 1948) was a United States Senator from Nebraska. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Fairmont Group Incorporated, a merchant banking/consulting company with offices in Omaha and Washington. Mr. Karnes also serves in an “of counsel” capacity to the national law firm of Kutak Rock and practices out of the firm’s Omaha and Washington offices. He joined the firm in 1989 following his tenure as a United States Senator. He is currently involved in numerous civic, educational and charitable organizations in Nebraska and nationally. Karnes was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for his undergraduate education graduating in 1971. As an undergrad he joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity, serving one term as chapter president. He remained in Lincoln to attend law school. In 1981, Mr. Karnes was selected and served as a White House Fellow. Following his tenure at the White House, Karnes became executive assistant to Under Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in 1982 under President Ronald Reagan and subsequently served as special counsel for the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in 1983 he became chairman of Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka Board of Directors serving in that capacity from 1983-1987 during that time he also served as general counsel for an agribusiness and merchandising firm.
