1920 Nebraska gubernatorial election

The 1920 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1920, and featured incumbent Governor Samuel R. McKelvie, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee, former Governor John H. Morehead, and progressive-backed independent candidate, York Mayor Arthur G. Wray,^[1] to win a second and final two-year term in office.

1920 Nebraska gubernatorial election

← 1918 November 2, 1920 1922 →

Nominee Samuel R. McKelvie John H. Morehead Arthur G. Wray Party Republican Democratic Independent Popular vote 152,863 130,433 88,905 Percentage 40.4% 34.5% 23.5%

County results McKelvie:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Morehead:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60% Wray:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Samuel R. McKelvie Republican Elected Governor Samuel R. McKelvie Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ralph A. Clark, Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1910
• George W. Jackson, Speaker of the state House of Representatives^[2]
• John H. Morehead, former Governor
• G. L. Shumway, former Commissioner of Public Lands and Buildings^[3]
• William J. Taylor, state Senator^[4]

Results

Democratic primary results^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John H. Morehead	27,972	53.21
	Democratic	Ralph A. Clark	9,409	17.90
	Democratic	George Jackson	6,102	11.61
	Democratic	William J. Taylor	5,485	10.43
	Democratic	G. L. Shumway	3,589	6.83
	Democratic	Write-in	11	0.02

Republican primary

Candidates

• Thomas L. Hall, Commissioner of the state Railway Commission^[6]
• George D. Mathewson, state Representative^[7]
• Samuel R. McKelvie, incumbent Governor
• Harry J. McLaughlin, state Representative^[8]
• Adam McMullen, state Senator and former Mayor of Wymore
• Ernest M. Pollard, former U.S. Representative

Results

Republican primary results^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Samuel R. McKelvie (incumbent)	33,261	32.53
	Republican	Adam McMullen	25,680	25.12
	Republican	Ernest M. Pollard	17,961	17.57
	Republican	Thomas L. Hall	11,126	10.88
	Republican	Harry J. McLaughlin	8,997	8.80
	Republican	George D. Mathewson	5,007	4.90
	Republican	Write-in	210	0.21

General election

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1920^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Samuel R. McKelvie (incumbent)	152,863	40.41%
	Democratic	John H. Morehead	130,433	34.48%
	Independent	Arthur G. Wray	88,905	23.51%
	Prohibition	Julian D. Graves	6,041	1.60%
	Write-in	Others	4	>0.01%
Total votes			378,246	100.0%
	Republican hold

See also

• 1920 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election