1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska

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1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska
Flag of Nebraska.svg
  1936 November 3, 1942 1948  
  Ken Wherry crop.jpg GeorgeWNorris.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Kenneth Wherry George Norris Foster May
Party Republican Independent Democratic
Popular vote186,207108,89983,763
Percentage48.98%28.63%22.03%

1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska results map by county.svg
County results
Wherry:      30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Norris:      30–40%     40–50%
May:      30–40%

U.S. senator before election

George W. Norris
Independent

Elected U.S. Senator

Kenneth Wherry
Republican

The 1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 3, 1942. Incumbent George W. Norris, who was re-elected to his fifth term in 1936 as an independent, ran for a sixth term. He was challenged by Kenneth S. Wherry, the Chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party, and Democratic nominee Foster May, a prominent radio announcer. While Norris relied on Democratic support in his previous campaign, he did not receive it in 1942, and unlike in 1936, his Republican opponent largely consolidated the conservative vote. As a result, Norris lost re-election in a landslide, receiving just 29% of the vote to Wherry's 49%. In defeat, Norris remarks, "I would rather go down to my political grave with a clear conscience than ride in the chariot of victory." In part for his honesty with constituents even if it meant defeat. Norris was later featured in John F. Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning Profiles in Courage . [1]

Contents

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Kenneth Wherry 61,915 66.29%
Republican Hugh Ashmore20,86822.34%
Republican Voyle Rector10,62411.37%
Total votes93,407 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Foster May 36,684 41.10%
Democratic Harry Coffee25,95329.08%
Democratic Terry Carpenter13,75215.41%
Democratic William Ritchie5,7746.47%
Democratic John C. Mullen5,2115.84%
Democratic George W. Olsen1,1051.24%
Democratic Lawrence W. Moore7840.88%
Total votes89,263 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Kenneth S. Wherry 186,207 48.98% +11.16%
Independent George W. Norris (inc.)108,85128.63%−15.19%
Democratic Foster May108,39122.03%+3.67%
Independent Albert F. Ruthven1,3480.35%
Majority77,35620.35%+14.35%
Total votes380,169 100.00%
Republican gain from Independent

See also

References

  1. John F. Kennedy (1956). Profiles in Courage. New York City: Harper & Brothers. p. 186. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  2. "Hugh Ashmore candidate for U. S. Senate". Lincoln Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. February 21, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  3. "Voyle Rector In U.S. Senate Race". Lincoln Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. July 2, 1942. p. 5. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Marsh, Frank (1942). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board (PDF).
  5. Ingoldsby, Tom (June 24, 1942). "Foster May to Oppose Coffee?". Nebraska Daily News-Press . Nebraska City, Nebraska. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  6. "Ritchie Reported in Senate Race". Omaha World-Herald . Omaha, Nebraska. April 15, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  7. "John C. Mullen seeks post in the senate". Lincoln Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. July 1, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  8. "Olsen In Demo Race for Senate". Lincoln Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. June 2, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  9. "Omahan Files for Senate Post". Grand Island Independent . Grand Island, Nebraska. June 29, 1942. p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2025.