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 for the 23rd district^[1]
• George W. Olsen, Democratic candidate for Governor of Nebraska in 1944

Results

Democratic primary^[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

Republican primary

Candidates

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

Results

Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Hugh A. Butler (Incumbent)	87,589	63.78
	Republican	Dwight Griswold	48,208	35.11
	Republican	Robert W. Ardts	1,526	1.11
Total votes			137,323	100

Results

1946 United States Senate election in Nebraska^[3]

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

References

1. "The Nebraska Scene". The Frontier. December 8, 1938. p. 4.
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