1922 United States Senate election in Nebraska

1922 United States Senate election in Nebraska

←  1916 November 7, 1922 1928  →

Nominee Robert B. Howell Gilbert Hitchcock Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 220,350 148,265 Percentage 56.84% 38.24%

County results Howell:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80% Hitchcock:     40-50%     50-60%

U.S. senator before election Gilbert Hitchcock Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Robert B. Howell Republican

The 1922 United States Senate election in Nebraska took place on November 7, 1922. Incumbent Senator Gilbert M. Hitchcock ran for re-election to a third term. He was challenged in the general election by Republican Robert B. Howell, the Chairman of the Metropolitan Utilities District. Despite nationwide Democratic gains in the Senate, Hitchcock was defeated by Howell in a landslide.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Robert B. Howell, Chair of the Metropolitan Utilities District
• Albert W. Jefferis, U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district
• Clarence A. Davis, "Attorney General of Nebraska ^[1]
• C. H. Gustafson, President of the United States Grain Growers ^[1]
• Frank John, ^[1]
• John O. Yeiser, former State Representative ^[1]

Results

Republican primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert B. Howell	40,254	34.02%
	Republican	Albert W. Jefferis	25,925	21.91%
	Republican	Clarence A. Davis	25,534	21.58%
	Republican	C. H. Gustafson	18,516	15.65%
	Republican	Frank John	4,622	3.91%
	Republican	John O. Yeiser	3,450	2.92%
	Republican	Write-ins	27	0.02%
Total votes			118,428	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Gilbert M. Hitchcock, incumbent U.S. Senator
• J. O. Shreyer, former Director of the Nebraska Farmers' Union ^[1]
• Anthony T. Monahan, member of the Nebraska Live Stock Commission ^[1]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gilbert M. Hitchcock (inc.)	46,752	63.18%
	Democratic	J. O. Shreyer	17,045	23.03%
	Democratic	Anthony T. Monahan	10,134	13.69%
	Democratic	Write-ins	68	0.09%
Total votes			74,000	100.00%

Progressive primary

Candidates

• Arthur G. Wray, former Mayor of York ^[1]
• Anson H. Bigelow, union attorney ^[1]

Results

Progressive primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Progressive	Arthur G. Wray	5,823	72.25%
	Progressive	Anson H. Bigelow	2,215	27.48%
	Progressive	Scattering	21	0.26%
Total votes			8,059	100.00%

After winning the primary, Wray withdrew from the race and endorsed Howell, declaring, "It would be morally wrong for me, or any other man, to divide the progressive vote and contribute in the least degree to the re-election of the reactionary, Hitchcock." ^[3]

General election

1922 United States Senate election in Nebraska ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Robert B. Howell	220,350	56.84%	+10.95%
	Democratic	Gilbert M. Hitchcock (inc.)	148,265	38.24%	−11.73%
	Prohibition	James L. Beebe	19,076	4.92%	+3.37%
	Write-in		2	0.00%	—
Majority			72,085	18.59%	+14.50%
Total votes			387,693	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic

References

1. "Who's Who in the State Primaries". Omaha Daily News. July 14, 1922. p. 1, 9. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
2. Amsberry, Darius M. (1922). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board: State Primary Election Held July 18, 1922 (PDF).
3. "Wray Withdraws From Race for U. S. Senator". Omaha World-Herald. September 26, 1922. p. 11. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
4. Pool, Charles W. (1922). Tabulated Report of the General Election held Nov. 7, 1922 (PDF).