1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska

The 1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska took place on November 5, 1940. Hugh A. Butler was elected for the first time, defeating Governor Robert Leroy Cochran. Edward R. Burke, the incumbent Senator, was defeated by Cochran in the primary. Butler performed on par with Wendell Willkie, who won the state with 57.2% in the presidential election.

1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Hugh A. Butler Robert Leroy Cochran Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 340,250 247,659 Percentage 57.00% 41.49%

County results Butler:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Cochran:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Edward R. Burke Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Hugh A. Butler Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Edward R. Burke, incumbent Senator
• Robert Leroy Cochran, Governor of Nebraska

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robert Leroy Cochran	84,869	58.42%
	Democratic	Edward R. Burke (inc.)	60,400	41.58%
Total votes			145,269	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Hugh A. Butler, Republican National committeeman for Nebraska^[2]
• Albert W. Jefferis, former Representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district
• Adam McMullen, former Governor of Nebraska
• Arthur J. Weaver, former Governor of Nebraska

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Hugh A. Butler	61,756	37.15%
	Republican	Arthur J. Weaver	56,331	33.89%
	Republican	John H. Miller	17,016	10.24%
	Republican	Adam McMullen	16,359	9.84%
	Republican	Albert W. Jefferis	14,765	8.88%
Total votes			166,227	100.00%

Results

1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Hugh A. Butler	340,250	57.00%	+14.14%
	Democratic	Robert Leroy Cochran	247,659	41.49%	−13.81%
	Independent	Albert F. Ruthven	8,982	1.50%	—
Majority			92,591	15.51%	+3.07%
Total votes			596,891	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic