1936 United States Senate election in Nebraska

The 1936 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 3, 1936. Incumbent Senator George W. Norris, who had previously been elected as a Republican, ran for re-election to a fifth term as an independent candidate. He was challenged in the general election by former Congressman Robert G. Simmons, the Republican nominee, and former Congressman Terry Carpenter, the Democratic nominee. Norris won significant support from Democratic voters and won re-election with a 44% plurality over Simmons, who won 38%, with Carpenter in a distant third with 18%.

Republican primary

Candidates

Robert G. Simmons, former U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 3rd congressional district, 1934 Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate
Harry O. Palmer, attorney, 1930 candidate for Nebraska Supreme Court, 1932 Republican candidate for Governor^[1]
Lloyd C. Constable, Wymore druggist^[2]
Cleon Dech, businessman^[3]

Results

Republican primary results^[4]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert Simmons	82,048	71.16%
	Republican	Harry O. Palmer	22,687	19.68%
	Republican	Lloyd C. Constable	5,959	5.17%
	Republican	Cleon Dech	3,200	2.78%
	Republican	George W. Norris (inc.) (write-in)	1,376	1.19%
	Republican	Write-ins	31	0.03%
Total votes			115,301	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Terry Carpenter, former U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 5th congressional district, 1934 Democratic candidate for Governor
James E. Quigley, Chairman of the Nebraska Democratic Party, former Cherry County Judge^[5]
George Hall, Nebraska State Treasurer^[6]
Emil Placek, Wahoo banker^[7]

Results

Democratic primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Terry Carpenter	41,212	31.31%
	Democratic	James E. Quigley	36,882	28.02%
	Democratic	George Hall	25,183	19.13%
	Democratic	Emil Placek	25,173	19.12%
	Democratic	George W. Norris (incumbent) (write-in)	3,088	2.35%
	Democratic	Write-ins	91	0.07%
Total votes			131,629	100.00%

General election

Candidates

George W. Norris, incumbent U.S. Senator (Independent)
Robert G. Simmons, former U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 3rd congressional district (Republican)
Terry Carpenter, former U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 5th congressional district (Democratic)

Results

1936 United States Senate election in Nebraska^[8]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	George W. Norris (inc.)	258,700	43.82%	—
	Republican	Robert G. Simmons	223,276	37.82%	−19.02%
	Democratic	Terry Carpenter	108,391	18.36%	−21.38%
	Write-in		7	0.00%	—
Majority			74,323	17.10%	−8.02%
Total votes			434,804	100.00%
	Independent hold

References

^ "Harry O. Palmer of Omaha for Senator". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. February 27, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
^ "Two Republicans for Seat in the Senate". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. February 26, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
^ "Two Republicans for Seat in the Senate". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. February 26, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
^ Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board: Primary Election 1936. Nebraska Secretary of State. 1936.
^ "Quigley Files As Candidate For the Senate". Grand Island Independent. Grand Island, Nebraska. March 5, 1936. p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
^ "George Hall Candidate for U.S. Senate". Grand Island Independent. Grand Island, Nebraska. January 6, 1936. p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
^ "E. E. Placek To Run For Senate". Lincoln Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. February 27, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
^ The Nebraska Blue Book: 1936 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Reference Bureau. 1936. p. 458. Retrieved February 24, 2025.

[1] "Harry O. Palmer of Omaha for Senator". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. February 27, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.

[2] "Two Republicans for Seat in the Senate". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. February 26, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.

[3] "Two Republicans for Seat in the Senate". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. February 26, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.

[primary_results-4] Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board: Primary Election 1936. Nebraska Secretary of State. 1936.

[5] "Quigley Files As Candidate For the Senate". Grand Island Independent. Grand Island, Nebraska. March 5, 1936. p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2025.

[6] "George Hall Candidate for U.S. Senate". Grand Island Independent. Grand Island, Nebraska. January 6, 1936. p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2025.

[7] "E. E. Placek To Run For Senate". Lincoln Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. February 27, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved February 24, 2025.

[8] The Nebraska Blue Book: 1936 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Reference Bureau. 1936. p. 458. Retrieved February 24, 2025.

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Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Candidates

Results

See also

References