Edward Zorinsky was a Democratic U.S. Senator from Nebraska, serving from 1976 until his death.

A lifelong resident of Omaha, Zorinsky attended several universities, including the University of Minnesota, Creighton University, and the University of Nebraska. He was in the wholesale tobacco and candy business from 1950 to 1973 before being elected Mayor of Omaha in 1973.

After his death, one of the largest man-made lakes in Nebraska was named after him. Ed Zorinsky Lake is located in Douglas County, in the City of Omaha.

Zorinsky had been a Republican for most of his life, but joined the Democratic Party in 1976 to pursue the open United States Senate seat being vacated by Roman Lee Hruska. Zorinsky felt he was snubbed by the Republicans, who nominated U.S. Representative John Y. McCollister, also from Omaha. In a mild surprise, he subsequently won the election by a 53% to 47% margin. He was the first Senator from Nebraska to caucus with the Democrats since George W. Norris left the Senate in 1943, as well as the first Democrat elected from the state since Edward R. Burke in 1935.

As a Senator, Zorinsky was a moderate to conservative Democrat, voting with Republicans on some significant issues. He was courted by the Republicans to rejoin their party in 1982. He hinted that he might indeed change parties in 1986, but ultimately never made the switch.

Zorinsky died after suffering a heart attack at the 1987 Omaha Press Club ball.