Ernie Chambers has lots of titles: Nebraska state senator, Defender of the Downtrodden, the Maverick of Omaha, the State’s Conscience.

Senior Statesman. 

Ernie the Powerful.

He’s known as the single most powerful senator in the Legislature, a power some say he abuses from time to time.

“I reckon success not by how many bills I pass, but how many bad bills I stop,” he’s said more than once.

He is a master of the spoken word and can filibuster for hours without breaking a sweat.

He takes nothing from lobbyists and special interests. He owes nothing in return.

He knows the rules as well or better than anyone.

“I don’t live on the same level as other people,” he reminds from time to time.

Simultaneously, he says, he is the most ordinary person you will meet in your life.

On Jan. 9, he begins his 38th year representing Omaha’s District 11. That makes him the longest serving senator on record.

Term limits say it’s the last for the 70-year-old statesman.

For those who haven’t been around for all of his 70 years, we’ve provided a little Ernie history to catch you up.