1946 United States Senate election in Nebraska

The 1946 United States Senate election in Nebraska took place on November 5, 1946. The incumbent Senator, Hugh A. Butler, was re-elected to a second term in a landslide, defeating John E. Mekota.

1946 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1940 November 5, 1946 1952 →

Nominee Hugh A. Butler John E. Mekota Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 271,208 111,751 Percentage 70.82% 29.18%

County results Butler:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Mekota:      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Hugh A. Butler Republican Elected U.S. Senator Hugh A. Butler Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John E. Mekota, State Senator^[1]
• George W. Olsen, 1944 Democratic nominee for Governor, cafeteria busboy

Results

Democratic primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John E. Mekota	35,447	69.57%
	Democratic	George W. Olsen	15,505	30.43%
Total votes			50,952	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Hugh A. Butler, incumbent Senator
• Dwight Griswold, Governor of Nebraska

Results

Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Hugh A. Butler (inc.)	87,589	63.78%
	Republican	Dwight Griswold	48,208	35.11%
	Republican	Robert W. Ardts	1,526	1.11%
Total votes			137,323	100.00%

Results

1946 United States Senate election in Nebraska^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Hugh A. Butler (inc.)	271,208	70.82%	+13.82%
	Democratic	John E. Mekota	111,751	29.18%	−12.31%
Majority			159,457	41.64%	+26.13%
Total votes			382,958	100.00%
	Republican hold