1938 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial elections
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| Elections in Nebraska |
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The 1938 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial elections were both held on November 8, 1938. Incumbent
The regular election, which was held to elect a lieutenant governor for the term from January 5, 1939, to January 9, 1941, featured William E. Johnson, the Republican nominee, defeating the Democratic nominee, former US Representative Terry Carpenter, and independent candidate John B. Elliott Jr.[1]
The special election, which was held to elect a lieutenant governor to finish out the vacant term of Walter H. Jurgensen for its two remaining months from November 8, 1938, to January 5, 1939, featured Nate M. Parsons, the Democratic nominee, defeating Republican nominee Jack S. Kroh.[1]
Regular election
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Glen E. Carpenter
- James Franklin Christie, candidate for the Democratic nomination for
- Martin L. Gable
- Edward D. McKim, former member of the Nebraska House of Representatives from Omaha, Nebraska[3]
- George E. Nickles, former member of the Nebraska House of Representatives from Murray, Nebraska[3]
- William H. O'Gara, former member of the Nebraska House of Representatives from Laurel, Nebraska[3]
- Oscar L. Osterlund
- Henry Pedersen, former member of the Nebraska Senate from Guide Rock, Nebraska[3]
- Henry F. Schepman, former member of the Nebraska House of Representatives and the Nebraska Senate from Tecumseh, Nebraska, and candidate for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in 1932[3]
- Asa D. Scott
- H. B. Shellenbarger, former member of the Nebraska Senate from Stamford, Nebraska[3]
- Phil A. Tomek, attorney and former member of the Nebraska House of Representatives and the Nebraska Senate from David City, Nebraska[3][4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic
|
Terry Carpenter | 45,934 | 32.09 | |
Democratic
|
Edward D. McKim | 17,356 | 12.13 | |
Democratic
|
H. B. Shellenbarger | 14,916 | 10.42 | |
Democratic
|
Phil A. Tomek | 12,464 | 8.71 | |
Democratic
|
William H. O'Gara | 11,692 | 8.17 | |
Democratic
|
Glen E. Carpenter | 9,372 | 6.55 | |
Democratic
|
Henry F. Schepman | 7,515 | 5.25 | |
Democratic
|
Henry Pedersen | 7,157 | 5.00 | |
Democratic
|
George E. Nickles | 4,866 | 3.40 | |
Democratic
|
Oscar L. Osterlund | 3,377 | 2.36 | |
Democratic
|
Asa D. Scott | 3,373 | 2.36 | |
Democratic
|
Martin L. Gable | 3,171 | 2.22 | |
Democratic
|
James Franklin Christie | 1,940 | 1.36 | |
Republican primary
Candidates
- Leo J. Crosby from Omaha, Nebraska[5]
- C. A. "Doc" Green, candidate for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 1934 and 1936 from Lincoln, Nebraska[6][5]
- William E. Johnson, practicing accountant, writer of economic articles for financial journals, and political newcomer from Schuyler, Nebraska[5][7]
- Harry C. Moore from Lincoln, Nebraska[5]
- Robert A. Nelson
- Clarence Reckmeyer from Fremont, Nebraska[4]
- Arthur B. Walker, physician from Lincoln, Nebraska[8]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican
|
William E. Johnson | 22,801 | 20.08 | |
Republican
|
Robert A. Nelson | 19,449 | 17.13 | |
Republican
|
Leo J. Crosby | 19,023 | 16.75 | |
Republican
|
Harry C. Moore | 17,182 | 15.13 | |
Republican
|
C. A. Green | 12,462 | 10.97 | |
Republican
|
Clarence Reckmeyer | 11,695 | 10.30 | |
Republican
|
Arthur B. Walker | 10,938 | 9.63 | |
General election
In the general election, in addition to Republican nominee William E. Johnson and Democratic nominee Terry Carpenter, John B. Elliott Jr. filed to run as an independent candidate by petition.[9] Elliott was a farmer and farm implement dealer from Alvo, Nebraska, who portrayed himself as a political outsider and nonpolitical candidate.[10][11]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William E. Johnson | 226,363 | 48.48 | |
| Democratic | Terry Carpenter | 215,725 | 46.20 | |
| Independent | John B. Elliott Jr. | 24,872 | 5.33 | |
| Total votes | 466,960 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
Special election
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On March 7, 1938, incumbent
Since the lieutenant governor's office was now vacant, there was mixed opinion on how to handle this vacancy. The office of Nebraska lieutenant governor had not been vacant since Nebraska Lieutenant Governor
Based on this precedent, some believed that the
Others believed that, under certain Nebraska laws, a special election needed to be held to fill the vacancy. Among these was
Nebraska Attorney General Richard Hunter issued his opinion declaring that Parsons was correct. The opinion stated that, under Nebraska law, since there was "no special constitutional provision for filling of a vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor" and "since the vacancy occurred more than thirty days prior to the November election," the Nebraska Secretary of State should therefore "accept the filing made [by Parsons]."[25] The Attorney General also ordered that "In making up the ballot at the primary and general elections respectively, separate places should be provided for voting for Lieutenant Governor for the full term and for Lieutenant Governor for the unexpired term."[25] In 1938, the Nebraska primary elections were held on August 9.[1]
Because it was uncertain how a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor was to be handled and whether or not there would even be a special election, no filings were made to run in the special election until Parsons made his last-minute filing before the deadline. Thus, he was the only candidate of any party to run in the primaries for the special election for lieutenant governor.[22][1]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nate M. Parsons, a pharmacist from Lincoln, Nebraska, who had been active in Democratic party politics in the past, ran unopposed since he was the only person to file before the deadline.[26]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic
|
Nate M. Parsons | 96,321 | 100.0 | |
Republican primary
Because of the uncertainty over the handling of the vacancy of lieutenant governor, no Republican primary was held for the lieutenant gubernatorial special election. However, at the Republican state convention, which took place after the primaries, Jack S. Kroh was nominated to run for the vacant term of lieutenant governor.[27][28] Because of this, Kroh had to run "by petition" and thus was not listed as a "Republican" on the ballot.[1][27] Jack S. Kroh, from Ogallala, Nebraska, was the owner and publisher of the Keith County News.[29] He was a former president of the Nebraska Press Association and a former member of the Nebraska State Senate from 1923 to 1924.[30]
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Nate M. Parsons | 229,780 | 61.71 | |
| Republican | Jack S. Kroh | 142,557 | 38.29 | |
| Total votes | 372,337 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Aftermath
After winning the special election for lieutenant governor to fill the vacancy, Nate M. Parsons took office immediately after he had qualified. He was sworn into office on November 14, 1938, and served until January 5, 1939.[31] Since the legislative session began on January 3, 1939, but Lieutenant Governor-elect William E. Johnson did not take office until January 5, Parsons presided over the first two days of the legislative session. The Nebraska Legislature later officially voted to thank him "for the impartial manner in which he opened and presided over the organization of the Fifty-third Session of the Nebraska Legislature."[32]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harry R. Swanson. "Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board Primary Election August 9, 1938, General Election November 8, 1938" (PDF). Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ "Carpenter Files For State Berth". The Falls City Journal. June 18, 1938. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g State of Nebraska, 2020-2021 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), pp. 317–378
- ^ a b "Phil Tomek Files". The Falls City Journal. June 18, 1938. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Finance Expert Files for Jurgensen Post". Omaha World-Herald. June 28, 1938. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ "Local Mention". Burt County Herald. February 27, 1936. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ "Johnson in Race". The Falls City Journal. June 18, 1938. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ "State Primary Candidates". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 9, 1946.
Dr. A. B. Walker, Republican, 68, Lincoln; physician.
- ^ "Alvo Man To Run For Lieutenant Governor". Lincoln Journal Star. October 6, 1938. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ "Alvo Man Enters Race for Office". Kearney Daily Hub. October 6, 1938. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ "John B. Elliott, Jr. For Lt. Governor". The Hastings Daily Tribune. November 5, 1938. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
Business man and farmer—not a political politician.
- ^ a b "Lieut. Governor Out: Nebraska Court Removes Official In Embezzling Case". The New York Times. June 26, 1938. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ "Time Capsule". Omaha World-Herald. June 27, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ "News, Views, and Gossip". The Tryon Graphic. June 30, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ a b "Nebraska Loses Its Lieutenant Governor". Pawnee Republican. June 30, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ State of Nebraska, 1938 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), p. 138
- ISBN 9780403098347.
Due to his Senate post as President Pro Tempore, he stepped in as Lieutenant Governor of the State in May 1911, when the incumbent, M.R. Hopewell, died while in office.
- ^ 1915 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), p. 168
- ^ "Gov. John Henry Morehead", National Governors Association,
As senate president, Morehead succeeded to the office of lieutenant governor, where he served from 1911 to 1912.
- ^ "Parsons Raises a Number Questions". The Ravenna News. July 15, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ a b "Nebr. May Be Without a Lieutenant Gov". Custer County Chief. June 30, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Surprises Are Recorded Late in Filing Dash". Norfolk Daily News. July 1, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ State of Nebraska, 1938 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), p. 142
- ^ State of Nebraska, 1938 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), p. 148
- ^ a b "Attorney General Opinions: Elections Public Officers: Filling Vacancy in Office of Lieutenant Governor for Unexpired Term". Nebraska Legal News. July 16, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ "Books Close On Filings; Total Is 329". The Lincoln Star. July 1, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ a b "General Election Next Tuesday, November 8; Good Sized Vote Likely". The Arnold Sentinel. November 3, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ "Nominated". Grand Island Daily Independent. October 6, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ "Kroh of Ogallala Selected to Fill Vacancy on Ballot". The Tribune-Sentinel. September 15, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ "J. S. (Jack) Kroh". Chadron Record. October 28, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ "Nate M. Parsons Qualifies, Post, Lieut. Governor". The North Platte Telegraph. November 14, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ Legislative Journal of the State of Nebraska, Fifty-Third Session, Convened January 3, 1939; Adjourned June 7, 1939, Lincoln, Nebraska