1946 Nebraska gubernatorial election

The 1946 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1946, and featured former school superintendent and newspaper publisher Val Peterson, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee, state Senator Frank Sorrell.

1946 Nebraska gubernatorial election

← 1944 November 5, 1946 1948 →

Nominee Val Peterson Frank Sorrell Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 249,468 131,367 Percentage 65.5% 34.5%

County results Peterson:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Sorrell:      50-60%

Governor before election Dwight Griswold Republican Elected Governor Val Peterson Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Samuel K. Howard, laundry route supervisor^[1]
• Frank Sorrell, member of the Nebraska Legislature^[2]

Results

Democratic primary results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank Sorrell	34,636	68.88
	Democratic	Samuel K. Howard	15,652	31.12

Republican primary

Candidates

• William R. Brooks, salt company manager^[4]
• William E. Johnson, former Lieutenant Governor
• Val Peterson, administrative assistant and secretary to Governor Dwight Griswold
• Andrew E. Swanson, retired farmer and stockman^[5]
• George J. Thomas, candy distributor^[6]
• Arthur B. Walker, physician^[7] and candidate for lieutenant governor in 1938
• Arthur J. Weaver Jr., Lincoln city councilman and son of former Governor Arthur J. Weaver^[8]
• Joseph Wishart, attorney and farmer^[9]

Results

Republican primary results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Val Peterson	60,708	46.11
	Republican	Arthur J. Weaver Jr.	39,911	30.31
	Republican	Joseph Wishart	16,062	12.20
	Republican	William E. Johnson	4,338	3.30
	Republican	Andrew E. Swanson	4,129	3.14
	Republican	George J. Thomas	2,983	2.27
	Republican	William R. Brooks	2,312	1.76
	Republican	Arthur B. Walker	1,214	0.92

General election

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1946^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Val Peterson	249,468	65.51%
	Democratic	Frank Sorrell	131,367	34.49%
Total votes			380,835	100.0%
	Republican hold

See also

• 1946 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election

References

1. "State Primary Candidates". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 9, 1946. Samuel K. Howard, Democrat, 59, Omaha; laundry route supervisor, World War I vet.
2. "State Primary Candidates". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 9, 1946. Frank Sorrell, Democrat, 51, Syracuse; auctioneer, real estate dealer, and insurance man; member of state legislature four terms; secretary Otoe County agricultural association six years; party endorsed.
3. Frank Marsh (Sr.). "Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board Primary Election June 11, 1946, General Election November 5, 1946" (PDF). Retrieved September 29, 2017.
4. "State Primary Candidates". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 9, 1946. William R. Brooks, Republican, 69, Omaha; salt company manager; attended York College; veteran Spanish-American, World War I; American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars; past president, Nebraska reserve officers association.
5. "State Primary Candidates". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 9, 1946. A. E. Swanson. Republican, 62, Polk; retired farmer and stockman.
6. "State Primary Candidates". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 9, 1946. George J. Thomas, Republican, 58, Omaha; candy distributor; former Omaha city milk inspector; attended Nebraska U.; brother, Amos Thomas, former legislator; former farm appraiser for bank and trust companies; World War I; American Legion.
7. "State Primary Candidates". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 9, 1946. Dr. A. B. Walker, Republican, 68, Lincoln; physician.
8. "State Primary Candidates". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 9, 1946. Arthur J. Weaver, Republican, 33, Lincoln; insurance man; attended Nebraska U.; vice president, Lincoln city council since 1939; delegate at large to 1944 GOP national convention; son of late Gov. Arthur J. Weaver.
9. "State Primary Candidates". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 9, 1946. Joseph Wishart, Republican, 54, Lincoln; attorney, farmer.