Early in 1898, there was speculation that incumbent
Governor of Nebraska in the 1898 election;[2] however, by the fall of 1898, Harris was not running for governor and had become disaffected with the Populist party.[3] Harris eventually withdrew from being renominated for the office of lieutenant governor in favor of Edward A. Gilbert so that the Silver Republican Party, who supported Gilbert, might have some representation on the Populist/Democratic fusion ticket.[4]
A party calling itself the Liberty Party held a convention on August 2, 1898, and had originally nominated candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. The nominees were Richard A. Hawley for governor, who had previously run for governor with the so-called National Party in the election of 1896, and J. Phipps Roe, of Omaha, Nebraska, for lieutenant governor. However, on September 22, both candidates withdrew their names and the Liberty Party decided to endorse the Populist/Democratic fusion candidates, William A. Poynter and Edward A. Gilbert, for governor and lieutenant governor respectively.[5]
^"Daily Drift". Nebraska State Journal. October 10, 1898. p. 4. Retrieved June 17, 2023. Lieutenant Governor Harris admits that a large number of unprincipled men have secured seats in the populist band wagon, and adds that they are 'ruining the party.'
^"W. A. Poynter for Governor". The Nebraska Independent. August 4, 1898. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2023. The present state officers were renominated with the exception of Lieutenant Governor Harris, who withdrew in order that the silver republicans might have representation on the ticket.
^"As the campaign progresses". Saunders County Journal. October 20, 1898. p. 4. Retrieved June 17, 2023. Hon. E. A. Gilbert... is one of the strongest and ablest men in the ranks of the silver republicans and will be a worthy successor to Lieutenant Governor Harris.
^"Social Labor Ticket". Nebraska City News. October 18, 1898. p. 2. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
Government
