1918 United States Senate election in Nebraska

1918 United States Senate election in Nebraska

←  1913 November 5, 1918 1924  →

Nominee George W. Norris John H. Morehead Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 120,086 99,690 Percentage 54.64% 45.36%

U.S. senator before election George W. Norris Republican Elected U.S. Senator George W. Norris Republican

The 1918 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 5, 1918. Incumbent Republican Senator George W. Norris sought re-election in his first popular election. He won the Republican primary with a 35% plurality and faced former Governor John H. Morehead, the Democratic nominee, in the general election. Owing to nationwide Republican strength in the 1918 elections, Norris defeated Morehead with 55% of the vote.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John H. Morehead, former Governor of Nebraska
• Richard Lee Metcalfe, former Military Governor of the Panama Canal Zone
• Edgar Howard, Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska
• Willis E. Reed, Attorney General of Nebraska ^[1]
• William B. Price, Lincoln attorney ^[2]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John H. Morehead	29,581	48.82%
	Democratic	Richard L. Metcalfe	12,506	20.64%
	Democratic	Edgar Howard	8,263	13.64%
	Democratic	Willis E. Reed	7,796	12.87%
	Democratic	William B. Price	2,444	4.03%
Total votes			60,590	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• George W. Norris, incumbent Senator
• Charles H. Sloan, U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 4th congressional district
• Ross L. Hammond, editor of the Fremont Tribune , former Collector of Internal Revenue for the District of Nebraska ^[4]
• William Madgett, Mayor of Hastings ^[5]
• David Mercer, former U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district

Results

Republican primary results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George W. Norris	23,715	35.86%
	Republican	Charles H. Sloan	17,070	25.82%
	Republican	Ross L. Hammond	16,948	25.63%
	Republican	William Madgett	4,301	6.50%
	Republican	David Mercer	4,089	6.18%
Total votes			66,123	100.00%

General election

Results

1918 United States Senate election in Nebraska ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George W. Norris (inc.)	120,086	54.64%
	Democratic	John H. Morehead	99,690	45.36%
Total votes			219,776	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Mr. Reed First in Senatorial Race". Lincoln Daily News. March 12, 1918. p. 1. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
2. "Price Sends Hot Roast of Senator from Nebraska". Omaha Daily Bee. February 9, 1918. p. 5. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
3. Pool, Charles W. (1918). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board: Primary Election Held August 20, 1918 (PDF).
4. "Hammond Out For U.S. Senator". Johnstown Enterprise. May 31, 1918. p. 1. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
5. "Madgett Confirms Story He Will Run for Senatorship". Omaha World-Herald. January 3, 1918. p. 7. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
6. Pool, Charles W. (1918). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board: General Election Held November 5, 1918 (PDF).