1916 United States Senate election in Nebraska

1916 United States Senate election in Nebraska

←  1911 November 7, 1916 1922  →

Nominee Gilbert Hitchcock John L. Kennedy Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 143,082 131,359 Percentage 49.98% 45.88%

County results Hitchcock:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Kennedy:      40–50%     50–60% Tie:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Gilbert Hitchcock Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Gilbert Hitchcock Democratic

The 1916 United States Senate election in Nebraska took place on November 7, 1916. Incumbent Senator Gilbert Hitchcock, a Democrat, sought re-election in his first popular election. He won the Democratic primary and the cross-endorsement of the People's Independent party and faced former Congressman John L. Kennedy in the general election. Hitchcock won re-election as Democratic President Woodrow Wilson handily won the state in the presidential election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Gilbert Hitchcock, incumbent Senator
• Ignatius J. Dunn, former Omaha City Attorney ^[1]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gilbert M. Hitchcock (inc.)	50,852	66.09%
	Democratic	Ignatius J. Dunn	26,090	33.91%
	Democratic	Write-ins	7	0.01%
Total votes			76,949	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• John L. Kennedy, former U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district
• Chester Hardy Aldrich, former Governor of Nebraska

Results

Republican primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John L. Kennedy	47,445	53.60%
	Republican	Chester H. Aldrich	41,077	46.40%
Total votes			88,522	100.00%

Progressive primary

Candidates

• Walter O. Henry

Results

Progressive primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Progressive	Walter O. Henry	242	100.00%
Total votes			242	100.00%

On July 21, 1916, the Progressive Party withdrew its nominations and endorsed the slate of Republican candidates. ^[3]

Socialist primary

Candidates

• E. E. Olmstead

Results

Socialist primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Socialist	E. E. Olmstead	124	99.20%
	Socialist	Write-ins	1	0.80%
Total votes			125	100.00%

Prohibition primary

Candidates

• D. B. Gilbert

Results

Prohibition primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Prohibition	D. B. Gilbert	15	71.43%
	Prohibition	Write-ins	6	28.57%
Total votes			21	100.00%

People's Independent primary

Candidates

• Gilbert Hitchcock, incumbent Senator

Results

People's Independent primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Populist	Gilbert M. Hitchcock (inc.)	160	87.91%
	Populist	Write-ins	22	12.09%
Total votes			182	100.00%

General election

1916 United States Senate election in Nebraska ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gilbert M. Hitchcock (inc.)	143,082	49.98%
	Republican	John L. Kennedy	131,359	45.88%
	Socialist	E. E. Olmstead	7,425	2.59%
	Prohibition	D. G. Gilbert	4,429	1.55%
Total votes			286,295	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Dunn Opposes Hitchcock". Lincoln State Journal. February 27, 1916. p. 9-A. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
2. Pool, Charles W. (1916). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board: Presidential Preference Primary Election Held April 18th, 1916 (PDF).
3. "Moose Endorsements Are Filed By Corrick". Norfolk Daily News. July 21, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
4. Pool, Charles W. (1916). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board: General Election Held November 7th, 1916 (PDF).