1948 United States Senate election in Nebraska
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 County results Wherry: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Carpenter: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Nebraska |
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 Government |
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
- ^ "Circulate Petitionts Put Name on Ballot". Beatrice Daily Sun. Beatrice, Nebraska. February 25, 1948. p. 8. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c Marsh, Frank (1948). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board (PDF).
- ^ "Joseph Bovey In Contest as Foe of Wherry". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. March 5, 1948. p. 10. Retrieved February 24, 2025.