1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska
Appearance
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![]() County results Wherry: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Norris: 30–40% 30–40% May: 30–40% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 3, 1942.
Incumbent Independent George W. Norris lost re-election to a sixth term to Republican Kenneth Wherry.
Norris, a former Republican, was quoted as remarking, “I would rather go down to my political grave with a clear conscience than ride in the chariot of victory.” In part for his honesty with constituents even if it meant defeat, Norris was later featured in John F. Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning Profiles in Courage.[1]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Hugh Ashmore
- Voyle Rector
- Kenneth Wherry, former state senator and mayor of Pawnee City; candidate for U.S. Senate in 1934 and governor in 1932
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Kenneth Wherry | 61,915 | 66.29% | |
Republican | Hugh Ashmore | 20,868 | 22.34% | |
Republican | Voyle Rector | 10,624 | 11.37% |
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Terry Carpenter, former U.S. Representative from Scottsbluff, nominee for Senator in 1936, and perennial candidate
- Harry B. Coffee, U.S. Representative from Chadron
- Foster May, radio newsman and candidate for U.S. Representative in 1936
- Lawrence Moore
- John C. Mullin
- George Olsen
- William Ritchie
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Foster May | 36,684 | 41.10% | |
Democratic | Harry Coffee | 25,953 | 29.08% | |
Democratic | Terry Carpenter | 13,752 | 15.41% | |
Democratic | William Ritchie | 5,774 | 6.47% | |
Democratic | John C. Mullen | 5,211 | 5.84% | |
Democratic | George W. Olsen | 1,105 | 1.24% | |
Democratic | Lawrence W. Moore | 784 | 0.88% |
Independents
- George W. Norris, incumbent senator first elected in 1912
- Albert F. Ruthven
General election
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Kenneth Wherry | 186,207 | 48.97% | |
Independent | George W. Norris (incumbent) | 108,899 | 28.64% | |
Democratic | Foster May | 83,763 | 22.03% | |
Independent | Albert F. Ruthven | 1,348 | 0.36% |
See also
References
- ^ "U.S. Senate: George Norris".
- ^ "NE US Senate – R Primary, 1942". OurCampaigns. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ^ "NE US Senate – D Primary, 1942". OurCampaigns. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ^ "NE US Senate, 1942". OurCampaigns. Retrieved October 10, 2018.