1946 United States Senate election in North Dakota

1946 United States Senate election in North Dakota

←  1940 November 5, 1946 1952  →

Nominee William Langer Arthur E. Thompson Abner B. Larson Party Republican Independent Democratic Popular vote 88,210 38,804 38,368 Percentage 53.34% 23.46% 23.20%

County results Langer:      30-40%     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%

U.S. senator before election William Langer Republican Elected U.S. Senator William Langer Republican

The 1946 United States Senate election in North Dakota took place on November 5, 1946. Incumbent Republican Senator William Langer ran for re-election to a second term. Langer successfully defeated State Senator Joseph Bridston in the Republican primary, who challenged Langer over his isolationist views. ^[1] In the general election, he was opposed by Abner Larson, the Democratic nominee, and former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Arthur E. Thompson, who ran as an independent. Langer easily defeated both candidates and won re-election in a landslide.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Abner B. Larson

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Abner B. Larson	14,270	100.00%
Total votes			14,270	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• William Langer, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Joseph R. Bridston, State Senator

Results

Republican primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Langer (inc.)	67,449	55.72%
	Republican	Joseph R. Bridston	53,607	44.28%
Total votes			121,056	100.00%

General election

Results

1946 United States Senate election in North Dakota ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	William Langer (inc.)	88,210	53.34%	+15.23%
	Independent	Arthur E. Thompson	38,804	23.46%	—
	Democratic	Abner B. Larson	38,368	23.20%	−3.25%
Majority			49,406	29.87%	+26.82%
Turnout			165,382
	Republican hold

References

1. Larsen, Lawrence H. (1961). "William Langer: A Maverick in the Senate". The Wisconsin Magazine of History. 44 (3): 189–198. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
2. "Primary Election - June 25, 1946" (PDF). North Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
3. "General Election - November 5, 1946" (PDF). North Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 20, 2024.