1930 United States Senate election in Nebraska

1930 United States Senate election in Nebraska

←  1924 November 4, 1930 1936  →

Nominee George W. Norris Gilbert Hitchcock Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 247,118 172,795 Percentage 56.84% 39.74%

County results Norris:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Hitchcock:      50–60%

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

The 1930 United States Senate election in Nebraska took place on November 4, 1930. Incumbent Republican Senator George W. Norris ran for re-election to a fourth term. He was challenged by former Senator Gilbert Hitchcock, the Democratic nominee, whom he handily defeated.

Republican primary

Candidates

• George W. Norris, incumbent Senator
• W. M. Stebbins, Nebraska State Treasurer ^[1]
• Aaron C. Read, attorney ^[2]

Results

Republican primary results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George W. Norris (inc.)	108,471	57.26%
	Republican	W. M. Stebbins	74,486	39.32%
	Republican	Aaron C. Read	6,458	3.41%
	Republican	Scattering	5	0.00%
Total votes			189,420	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Gilbert Hitchcock, former U.S. Senator
• Jennie Mather Callfas, physician ^[4]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gilbert Hitchcock	60,346	78.51%
	Democratic	Jennie Mather Callras	16,417	21.36%
	Democratic	Scattering	105	0.14%
Total votes			147,486	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• George W. Norris, incumbent Senator (Republican)
• Gilbert Hitchcock, former U.S. Senator (Democratic)
• Beatrice Fenton Craig (Independent)

Beatrice Fenton Craig, a retired schoolteacher, initially filed to run in the Republican primary against Norris, ^[5] but withdrew in favor of W. M. Stebbins. ^[6] However, after Stebbins lost the primary to Norris, Craig re-entered the race as an independent candidate. ^[7]

Results

1930 United States Senate election in Nebraska ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	George W. Norris (inc.)	247,118	56.84%	−5.72%
	Democratic	Gilbert Hitchcock	172,795	39.74%	+2.30%
	Independent	Beatrice Fenton Craig	14,884	3.42%	—
	Write-in		7	0.00%	—
Majority			74,323	17.10%	−8.02%
Total votes			434,804	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Norris Files on G.O.P. Ticket as Candidate". Lincoln Journal Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. January 4, 1930. p. 1, 6. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
2. "Wants Norris' Post". Grand Island Independent . Grand Island, Nebraska. February 8, 1930. p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
3. Marsh, Frank (1930). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board: Primary Election Held August 12, 1930 (PDF).
4. "Defeat of Dr. Callfas Predicted". Omaha Bee . Omaha, Nebraska. June 15, 1930. p. 3. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
5. "A Teacher Opposes Norris". Omaha World-Herald . Omaha, Nebraska. June 10, 1930. p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
6. "Mrs. Craig Is Out Of The Senate Race". Lincoln Journal Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. July 17, 1930. p. 12. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
7. "Mrs. Craig To Fight Norris". North Platte Daily Telegraph. North Platte, Nebraska. August 13, 1930. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
8. Swanson, Harry R. (1930). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board: General Election Held November 4th, 1930 (PDF).