1916 United States Senate election in North Dakota

1916 United States Senate election in North Dakota

←  1911 November 7, 1916 1922  →

Nominee Porter J. McCumber John Burke E. R. Fry Party Republican Democratic Socialist Popular vote 57,714 40,988 8,472 Percentage 53.85% 38.24% 7.90%

County results McCumber:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Burke:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Porter J. McCumber Republican Elected U.S. Senator Porter J. McCumber Republican

The 1916 United States Senate election in North Dakota took place on November 7, 1916. Incumbent Senator Porter J. McCumber, a Republican, sought re-election in his first popular election. He won the Republican primary with a plurality and faced former Governor John Burke, the Democratic nominee, and E. R. Fry, the Socialist nominee, in the general election. Though incumbent Democratic President Woodrow Wilson narrowly won the state in the presidential election, McCumber defeated Burke and Fry in a landslide.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Burke, former Governor of North Dakota
• Frank O. Hellstrom, former Warden of the North Dakota State Penitentiary, 1912 and 1914 Democratic nominee for Governor

Results

Democratic primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Burke	9,627	71.65%
	Democratic	Frank O. Hellstrom	3,809	28.35%
Total votes			13,437	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Porter J. McCumber, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Ragnvald Nestos, Ward County State's Attorney ^[2]
• L. B. Hanna, incumbent Governor of North Dakota
• Herman N. Midtbo, perennial candidate ^[2]

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Porter J. McCumber (inc.)	29,680	43.09%
	Republican	Ragnvald Nestos	6,844	19.86%
	Republican	Harry P. Ilsley	6,683	19.39%
	Republican	M. A. Underwood	1,093	3.17%
Total votes			34,462	100.00%

Socialist primary

Candidates

• E. R. Fry

Results

Socialist primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Socialist	E. R. Fry	1,847	100.00%
Total votes			1,847	100.00%

General election

Results

1916 United States Senate election in North Dakota ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Porter J. McCumber (inc.)	57,714	53.85%
	Democratic	John Burke	40,988	38.24%
	Socialist	E. R. Fry	8,472	7.90%
Majority			16,726	15.61%
Total votes			107,174	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Primary Election - June 28, 1916" (PDF). North Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
2. "Primary Contests". Grand Forks Herald . Grand Forks, North Dakota. June 25, 1916. p. 4. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
3. "General Election - November 7, 1916" (PDF). North Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 20, 2024.