1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska
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The 1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska took place on November 5, 1940. Hugh A. Butler was elected for the first time, defeating Governor Robert Leroy Cochran. Edward R. Burke, the incumbent Senator, was defeated by Cochran in the primary. Butler performed on par with Wendell Willkie, who won the state with 57.2% in the presidential election.
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November 5, 1940
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 County results Butler: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Cochran: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Democratic primary
Candidates
- Edward R. Burke, incumbent Senator
- Robert Leroy Cochran, Governor of Nebraska
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert Leroy Cochran | 84,869 | 58.42% | |
| Democratic | Edward R. Burke (inc.) | 60,400 | 41.58% | |
| Total votes | 145,269 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Hugh A. Butler, Republican National committeeman for Nebraska[2]
- Albert W. Jefferis, former Representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district
- Adam McMullen, former Governor of Nebraska
- John H. Miller, former railway commissioner[3]
- Arthur J. Weaver, former Governor of Nebraska
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Hugh A. Butler | 61,756 | 37.15% | |
| Republican | Arthur J. Weaver | 56,331 | 33.89% | |
| Republican | John H. Miller | 17,016 | 10.24% | |
| Republican | Adam McMullen | 16,359 | 9.84% | |
| Republican | Albert W. Jefferis | 14,765 | 8.88% | |
| Total votes | 166,227 | 100.00% | ||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Hugh A. Butler | 340,250 | 57.00% | +14.14% | |
| Democratic | Robert Leroy Cochran | 247,659 | 41.49% | −13.81% | |
| Independent | Albert F. Ruthven | 8,982 | 1.50% | — | |
| Majority | 92,591 | 15.51% | +3.07% | ||
| Total votes | 596,891 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||