1934 Nebraska gubernatorial election

The 1934 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1934, and featured state engineer Robert L. Cochran, a Democrat, defeating Republican nominee, newspaper publisher and former state legislator Dwight Griswold.

1934 Nebraska gubernatorial election

← 1932 November 6, 1934 1936 →

Nominee Robert L. Cochran Dwight Griswold Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 284,095 266,707 Percentage 50.8% 47.7%

County results Cochran:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Griswold:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Charles W. Bryan Democratic Elected Governor Robert L. Cochran Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• William B. Banning, former member of the Nebraska Senate
• Terry Carpenter, U.S. Representative
• Robert L. Cochran, state engineer^[1]
• Frank J. Klopping, member of the Nebraska House of Representatives^[2]
• Maud Edgerton Nuquist, secretary-treasurer of the director's council of the General Federation of Women's Clubs^[3]
• Eugene D. O'Sullivan, attorney
• William F. Porter, former Nebraska Secretary of State from 1897 to 1901 and candidate for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in 1932
• John F. Rohn, Mayor of Fremont^[4]
• J. G. Stroble

Results

Democratic primary results^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robert L. Cochran	56,961	28.79
	Democratic	Terry Carpenter	44,024	22.25
	Democratic	Eugene D. O'Sullivan	41,058	20.75
	Democratic	John F. Rohn	22,762	11.50
	Democratic	William B. Banning	16,039	8.11
	Democratic	Maud Edgerton Nuquist	7,018	3.55
	Democratic	William F. Porter	3,755	1.90
	Democratic	Frank J. Klopping	3,440	1.74
	Democratic	J. G. Stroble	2,784	1.41
	Democratic	Write-in	13	0.01

Republican primary

Candidates

• George B. Clark
• Dwight Griswold, newspaper publisher, former member of the Nebraska Legislature, and candidate for governor in 1932.
• Theodore W. Metcalfe, former Lieutenant Governor^[6]
• Christian A. Sorensen, former Attorney General^[7]
• George W. Sterling

Results

Republican primary results^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dwight Griswold	94,781	52.75
	Republican	Christian A. Sorensen	42,200	23.48
	Republican	Theodore W. Metcalfe	36,037	20.06
	Republican	George B. Clark	3,954	2.20
	Republican	George W. Sterling	2,701	1.50
	Republican	Write-in	17	0.01

General election

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1934^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robert L. Cochran	284,095	50.84%
	Republican	Dwight Griswold	266,707	47.73%
	Independent	Ralph W. Madison	4,630	0.83%
	Independent	John J. Schefcik	3,362	0.60%
	Write-in	Others	7	>0.01%
Total votes			558,801	100.0%
	Democratic hold

See also

• 1934 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election

References

1. Governor Robert Leroy (Roy) Cochran National Governors Association. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
2. "Frank J. Klopping Dubbed 'Kingfish' of State Legislature". Lincoln Star. January 13, 1933. Retrieved June 22, 2023. 'Kingfish' is the unofficial title bestowed on State Representative Frank J. Klopping of Wayne by some of his colleagues in the legislature.
3. Raby, Elizabeth. "Maud E. Nuquist, First Woman Candidate for Governor of Nebraska" (PDF). nebraskahistory.org. Nebraska State Historical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 22, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
4. "City May Purchase Fremont Gas Plant: Claim Made That Rates Offered For Natural Gas are Higher Than Other Places Pay". Lincoln Star. March 26, 1931. Retrieved June 22, 2023. Just why Fremont should pay more members of the council were unable to understand. Mayor John F. Rohn, who is an attorney, declared that he questioned the legality of the gas company's franchise.
5. Harry R. Swanson. "Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board Primary Election August 14, 1934" (PDF). Retrieved October 3, 2017.
6. Cooper, Harold. "The Great Nebraska Navy: Its Origin and Growth" (PDF). Nebraska State Historical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 29, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
7. Szalewski, Susan (February 15, 2017). "Philip Sorensen's 'fondness for Nebraska never lagged'". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
8. Harry R. Swanson. "Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board General Election November 6, 1934" (PDF). Retrieved October 3, 2017.