1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska
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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]
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November 3, 1942
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 County results Wherry: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Norris: 30–40% 40–50% May: 30–40% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Republican primary
Candidates
- Kenneth S. Wherry, Chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party, Mayor of Pawnee City
- Hugh Ashmore, former State Senator[2]
- Voyle Rector, businessman[3]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kenneth Wherry | 61,915 | 66.29% | |
| Republican | Hugh Ashmore | 20,868 | 22.34% | |
| Republican | Voyle Rector | 10,624 | 11.37% | |
| Total votes | 93,407 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Foster May, Omaha radio announcer[5]
- Harry B. Coffee, U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 5th congressional district
- Terry Carpenter, former U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 5th congressional district, 1936 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate
- William Ritchie, Omaha attorney, 1932 Democratic candidate for Governor[6]
- John C. Mullen, former Falls City Attorney[7]
- George W. Olsen, 1940 Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district[8]
- Lawrence W. Moore, Omaha attorney[9]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Foster May | 36,684 | 41.10% | |
| Democratic | Harry Coffee | 25,953 | 29.08% | |
| Democratic | Terry Carpenter | 13,752 | 15.41% | |
| Democratic | William Ritchie | 5,774 | 6.47% | |
| Democratic | John C. Mullen | 5,211 | 5.84% | |
| Democratic | George W. Olsen | 1,105 | 1.24% | |
| Democratic | Lawrence W. Moore | 784 | 0.88% | |
| Total votes | 89,263 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kenneth S. Wherry | 186,207 | 48.98% | +11.16% | |
| Independent | George W. Norris (inc.) | 108,851 | 28.63% | −15.19% | |
| Democratic | Foster May | 108,391 | 22.03% | +3.67% | |
| Independent | Albert F. Ruthven | 1,348 | 0.35% | — | |
| Majority | 77,356 | 20.35% | +14.35% | ||
| Total votes | 380,169 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican gain from Independent | |||||