1944 United States Senate election in North Dakota

The 1944 United States Senate election in North Dakota took place on November 7, 1944. Incumbent Republican Senator Gerald Nye ran for re-election to his fourth term. He faced a serious challenge to his renomination in the Republican primary, with prominent Fargo attorney Lynn Stambaugh and Congressman Usher L. Burdick running against him. He won with one-third of the vote, defeating Shambaugh, his closest opponent, by fewer than 1,000 votes. In the general election, Stambaugh continued his campaign against Nye as an independent,^[1] splitting the Republican vote as Governor John Moses, the Democratic nominee, ran a strong campaign. Though Nye had benefited from crowded general elections before, he bled Republican support to Stambaugh and Moses unseated him with just 45% of the vote. However, just a few months into Moses's term, he died in office, flipping the seat back to Republican control and triggering a June 1946 special election.

1944 United States Senate election in North Dakota

← 1938 November 7, 1944 1946 (special) →

Nominee John Moses Gerald Nye Lynn Stambaugh Party Democratic Republican Independent Republican Popular vote 95,102 69,530 44,596 Percentage 45.20% 33.04% 21.19%

County results Moses:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Nye:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      80–90% Stambaugh:      30–40%

U.S. senator before election Gerald Nye Republican Elected U.S. Senator John Moses Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Moses, Governor of North Dakota

Results

Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Moses	14,650	100.00%
Total votes			14,650	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Gerald Nye, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Lynn Stambaugh, Fargo attorney, former national commander of the American Legion^[3]
• Usher L. Burdick, U.S. Congressman from North Dakota's at-large congressional district
• A. C. Townley

Results

Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Gerald Nye (inc.)	38,191	33.98%
	Republican	Lynn Stambaugh	37,219	33.11%
	Republican	Usher L. Burdick	35,687	31.75%
	Republican	A. C. Townley	1,300	1.16%
Total votes			112,397	100.00%

General election

Results

1944 United States Senate election in North Dakota^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Moses	95,102	45.20%	+2.63%
	Republican	Gerald Nye (inc.)	69,530	33.04%	−17.08%
	Independent Republican	Lynn Stambaugh	44,596	21.19%	—
	Independent	Bernard H. O'Laughlin	705	0.34%	—
	Independent	L. D. Harris	489	0.23%	—
Majority			25,572	12.15%	+4.59%
Turnout			210,422
	Democratic gain from Republican

References

1. "Stambaugh Says Nye is Conducting Smear Campaign". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. September 13, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
2. "Primary Election 06-27-1944" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
3. "Stambaugh Announces He'll Be Candidate for Senator". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. March 10, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
4. "General Election 11-07-1944" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.