1926 United States Senate election in North Dakota

Summary

The 1926 United States Senate election in North Dakota took place on November 2, 1926. Following his re-election in the special election earlier in the year, Senator Gerald Nye ran for re-election to a full term. Despite spurning the Republican Party's endorsement in the special election, Nye ran in the Republican primary in the regular election. On the same day that he defeated former Governor Louis B. Hanna in the special election—in which Hanna had the Republican nomination and Nye ran as the Nonpartisan League candidate—Nye defeated Hanna in the Republican primary for the regular election. Nye once again faced a crowded general election, but emerged victorious in a landslide, winning nearly 70% of the vote while none of his opponents exceeded 15%.

1926 United States Senate election in North Dakota

← 1926 (special) November 2, 1926 1932 →
 
Nominee Gerald Nye Norris H. Nelson
Party Republican Independent Republican
Popular vote 107,921 18,951
Percentage 69.58% 12.22%

 
Nominee F. F. Burchard C. P. Stone
Party Democratic Independent Republican
Popular vote 13,519 9,738
Percentage 8.72% 6.28%

County results
Nye:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. senator before election

Gerald Nye
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Gerald Nye
Republican

Democratic primary edit

Candidates edit

  • F. F. Burchard, high school teacher[1]
  • Halvor Halvorson (write-in)[2]

Campaign edit

At the Democratic convention in Grand Forks, teacher F. F. Burchard was nominated by the state party as their candidate for the U.S. Senate.[1] However, Halvor Halvorson challenged the decision of the state party to select its nominee at the convention and instead filed paperwork to be listed on the primary election ballot, arguing that there was a vacancy on the ballot that he was entitled to fill.[3] The issue was taken to the state Supreme Court, which ruled against Halvorson, though it left open the question of whether Halvorson was allowed to file.[4] Ultimately, however, the Secretary of State's office rejected Halvorson's petition, forcing him to run as a write-in candidate.[2]

Results edit

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic F. F. Burchard 6,126 97.81%
Democratic Halvor Halvorson (write-in) 137 2.19%
Total votes 6,263 100.00%

Republican primary edit

Candidates edit

  • Gerald Nye, incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Louis B. Hanna, former Governor of North Dakota
  • C. P. Stone, businessman
  • Herman N. Midtbo, perennial candidate

Results edit

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gerald Nye (inc.) 81,475 50.31%
Republican Louis B. Hanna 65,973 40.73%
Republican C. P. Stone 12,937 7.99%
Republican Herman N. Midtbo 1,573 0.97%
Total votes 161,958 100.00%

Farmer–Labor Party primary edit

Candidates edit

  • William Lemke
  • Gerald Nye, incumbent U.S. Senator
  • C. E. Erickson

Results edit

Farmer–Labor primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Farmer–Labor William Lemke 295 93.06%
Farmer–Labor Gerald Nye (inc.) 21 6.62%
Farmer–Labor C. E. Erickson 1 0.32%
Total votes 317 100.00%

General election edit

Results edit

1926 United States Senate election in North Dakota[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Gerald Nye (inc.) 107,921 69.58% +32.11%
Independent Republican Norris H. Nelson 18,951 12.22%
Democratic F. F. Burchard 13,519 8.72%
Independent Republican C. P. Stone 9,738 6.28%
Farmer–Labor William Lemke 4,977 3.21%
Majority 88,970 57.36% +44.64%
Turnout 155,106
Republican hold

References edit

  1. ^ a b "F. F. Burchard Is Candidate for Senator". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. March 15, 1926. p. 3. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  2. ^ a b ""Halvorson For Senator" Campaign Started at Minot". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. June 23, 1926. p. 2. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "More Trouble in Sight for N. D. Democrats". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. June 3, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  4. ^ "Byrne Told to Put All Names on the Ballot". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. June 9, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Primary Election 06-30-1926" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  6. ^ "General Election 11-02-1926" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.