1948 United States Senate election in Nebraska

1948 United States Senate election in Nebraska

←  1942 November 2, 1948 1952 (special)  →

Nominee Kenneth S. Wherry Terry Carpenter Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 267,575 204,320 Percentage 56.67% 43.27%

County results Wherry:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Carpenter:      50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Kenneth S. Wherry Republican Elected U.S. Senator Kenneth S. Wherry Republican

The 1948 United States Senate election in Nebraska took place on November 2, 1948. Incumbent Republican Senator Kenneth S. Wherry, who served as the Senate Majority Whip, ran for re-election to a second term. Wherry was challenged by former Congressman Terry Carpenter, the Democratic nominee. Despite significant Democratic gains nationwide, Wherry won re-election by a wide margin, defeating Carpenter with 57% of the vote. Wherry overperformed Republican presidential candidate Thomas Dewey by 2.55%, who won the state with 54.15% in the presidential election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Terry Carpenter, former U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 5th congressional district
• Albin T. Anderson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln history professor ^[1]
• George W. Olsen, 1944 Democratic nominee for Governor

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Terry Carpenter	43,034	55.50%
	Democratic	Albin T. Anderson	26,233	33.83%
	Democratic	George W. Olsen	8,274	10.67%
	Democratic	Scattering	2	0.00%
Total votes			77,543	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Kenneth S. Wherry, incumbent Senator
• Joseph B. Bovey, professional service representative ^[3]

Results

Republican primary ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kenneth S. Wherry (inc.)	134,479	83.53%
	Republican	Joseph B. Bovey	26,468	16.44%
	Republican	Scattering	49	0.03%
Total votes			160,996	100.00%

Results

1948 United States Senate election in Nebraska ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Kenneth S. Wherry (inc.)	267,575	56.67%	+7.70%
	Democratic	Terry Carpenter	204,320	43.27%	+21.24%
	Write-in		261	0.06%	—
Majority			63,255	13.40%	−6.93%
Total votes			472,156	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Circulate Petitionts Put Name on Ballot". Beatrice Daily Sun. Beatrice, Nebraska. February 25, 1948. p. 8. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
2. Marsh, Frank (1948). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board (PDF).
3. "Joseph Bovey In Contest as Foe of Wherry". Lincoln Journal Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. March 5, 1948. p. 10. Retrieved February 24, 2025.