1934 United States Senate election in Nebraska

The 1934 United States Senate election in Nebraska took place on November 6, 1934. A special election was held on the same day for the same seat. The incumbent Senator, Republican Robert B. Howell, died on March 11, 1933. William Henry Thompson, a Democratic politician, was appointed to the vacant seat. Richard C. Hunter was elected to finish Howell's term, while Burke was elected to the next term, defeating Robert G. Simmons. This was the last time until 1976 that a Democrat won a Senate election in Nebraska.

1934 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1934 (special) November 6, 1934 1940 →

Nominee Edward R. Burke Robert G. Simmons Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 305,958 237,126 Percentage 55.30% 42.86%

County results Burke:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Simmons:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Richard C. Hunter Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Edward R. Burke Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Charles W. Bryan, Governor of Nebraska
• Edward R. Burke, Representative for Nebraska's 2nd district
• Willis E. Reed, independent candidate in 1926 for Nebraska's 3rd district^[1]

Results

Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edward R. Burke	123,833	61.35
	Democratic	Charles W. Bryan	52,385	25.95
	Democratic	Willis E. Reed	11,817	5.85
	Democratic	Floyd L. Bollen	9,652	4.78
	Democratic	Anthony T. Monahan	4,161	2.06
	Democratic	Scattering	14	0.01
Total votes			201,862	100

Republican primary

Candidates

• Robert G. Simmons, former Representative for Nebraska's 6th district
• Kenneth S. Wherry, former State Senator for the 16th district

Results

Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert G. Simmons	77,841	46.31
	Republican	Kenneth S. Wherry	41,777	24.85
	Republican	Robert Smith	34,067	20.27
	Republican	Barton Green	10,683	6.36
	Republican	U. S. Renne	3,718	2.21
	Republican	Scattering	15	0.01
Total votes			168,101	100

Results

1934 United States Senate election in Nebraska^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Edward R. Burke	305,958	55.30	+16.58'"`UNIQ−−ref−00000037−QINU`"'
	Republican	Robert G. Simmons	237,126	42.86	−18.42'"`UNIQ−−ref−00000038−QINU`"'
	By Petition	Henry Hoffman	7,670	1.39	N/A
	Write in	E. D. O'Sullivan	2,501	0.45	N/A
	N/A	Scattering	44	0.01	N/A
Majority			68,832	12.44	−10.12'"`UNIQ−−ref−00000039−QINU`"'
Turnout			553,299
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Willis E. Reed". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
2. Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska (primary election). Available at: https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/previous-elections
3. Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska (general election). Available at: https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/previous-elections