1938 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial elections

none February 2026 September 2023 1938 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial regular election Nebraska presidential no 1936 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election 1936 1940 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election 1940 November 8, 1938 x160px William E. Johnson Republican Party (United States) 226,363 48.5% x160px Terry Carpenter Democratic Party (United States) 215,725 46.2% x160px John B. Elliott Jr. Independent politician 24,872 5.3% Lieutenant Governor Walter H. Jurgensen(removed June 26, 1938) Democratic Party (United States) William E. Johnson Republican Party (United States) The 1938 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial elections were both held on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Walter H. Jurgensen was convicted of a felony in March 1938 and barred from running for a fourth term as lieutenant governor in June, 1938, leaving the 1938 lieutenant gubernatorial race wide open. The vacancy caused by his removal from office brought about two elections for lieutenant governor in 1938: the regular election which always happened biennially and a special election to fill the vacancy. 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. 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. Regular election Democratic primary Candidates Terry Carpenter, former US Representative from Nebraska from 1933 to 1935, unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Nebraska in 1934, and unsuccessful Democratic nominee for US Senate in 1936.Carpenter Files For State Berth The Falls City Journal June 18, 1938 May 24, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/689657250/ Glen E. Carpenter James Franklin Christie, candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Nebraska in 1928 and 1932 Martin L. Gable Edward D. McKim, former member of the Nebraska House of Representatives from Omaha, Nebraska2020-2021 Nebraska Blue Book State of Nebraska 317–378 http://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/l3000/D001-202021.pdf George E. Nickles, former member of the Nebraska House of Representatives from Murray, Nebraska William H. O'Gara, former member of the Nebraska House of Representatives from Laurel, Nebraska Oscar L. Osterlund Henry Pedersen, former member of the Nebraska Senate from Guide Rock, Nebraska 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 Asa D. Scott H. B. Shellenbarger, former member of the Nebraska Senate from Stamford, Nebraska Phil A. Tomek, attorney and former member of the Nebraska House of Representatives and the Nebraska Senate from David City, NebraskaPhil Tomek Files The Falls City Journal June 18, 1938 May 24, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/689657250/ Results Democratic primary resultshttp://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/S1200/S001-1938prim_gen.pdf Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board Primary Election August 9, 1938, General Election November 8, 1938 Harry R. Swanson May 24, 2023 Democratic Party (US) Terry Carpenter 45,934 32.09 Democratic Party (US) Edward D. McKim 17,356 12.13 Democratic Party (US) H. B. Shellenbarger 14,916 10.42 Democratic Party (US) Phil A. Tomek 12,464 8.71 Democratic Party (US) William H. O'Gara 11,692 8.17 Democratic Party (US) Glen E. Carpenter 9,372 6.55 Democratic Party (US) Henry F. Schepman 7,515 5.25 Democratic Party (US) Henry Pedersen 7,157 5.00 Democratic Party (US) George E. Nickles 4,866 3.40 Democratic Party (US) Oscar L. Osterlund 3,377 2.36 Democratic Party (US) Asa D. Scott 3,373 2.36 Democratic Party (US) Martin L. Gable 3,171 2.22 Democratic Party (US) James Franklin Christie 1,940 1.36 Republican primary Candidates Leo J. Crosby from Omaha, Nebraska C. A. "Doc" Green, candidate for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 1934 and 1936 from Lincoln, NebraskaLocal Mention Burt County Herald February 27, 1936 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/764740999/ William E. Johnson, practicing accountant, writer of economic articles for financial journals, and political newcomer from Schuyler, NebraskaFinance Expert Files for Jurgensen Post Omaha World-Herald June 28, 1938 May 24, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/863129071/Johnson in Race The Falls City Journal June 18, 1938 May 24, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/689657250/ Harry C. Moore from Lincoln, Nebraska Robert A. Nelson Clarence Reckmeyer from Fremont, Nebraska Arthur B. Walker, physician from Lincoln, NebraskaState Primary Candidates Dr. A. B. Walker, Republican, 68, Lincoln; physician. Beatrice Daily Sun June 9, 1946 https://www.newspapers.com/image/3846608/ Results Republican primary results Republican Party (US) William E. Johnson 22,801 20.08 Republican Party (US) Robert A. Nelson 19,449 17.13 Republican Party (US) Leo J. Crosby 19,023 16.75 Republican Party (US) Harry C. Moore 17,182 15.13 Republican Party (US) C. A. Green 12,462 10.97 Republican Party (US) Clarence Reckmeyer 11,695 10.30 Republican Party (US) 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.Alvo Man To Run For Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Journal Star October 6, 1938 May 24, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/309322172/ Elliott was a farmer and farm implement dealer from Alvo, Nebraska, who portrayed himself as a political outsider and nonpolitical candidate.Alvo Man Enters Race for Office Kearney Daily Hub October 6, 1938 May 24, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/708579110/John B. Elliott, Jr. For Lt. Governor The Hastings Daily Tribune November 5, 1938 May 25, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/700620683/ Business man and farmer—not a political politician. Results Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election, 1938 Republican Party (United States) William E. Johnson 226,363 48.48 Democratic Party (United States) Terry Carpenter 215,725 46.20 Independent politician John B. Elliott Jr. 24,872 5.33 466,960 100.00 Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) Special election 1938 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial special election Nebraska presidential no 1936 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election 1936 1940 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election 1940 November 8, 1938 x160px Nate M. Parsons Democratic Party (United States) 229,780 61.7% x160px Jack S. Kroh Republican Party (United States) 142,557 38.3% Lieutenant Governor Walter H. Jurgensen(removed June 26, 1938) Democratic Party (United States) Nate M. Parsons Democratic Party (United States) On March 7, 1938, incumbent Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Walter H. Jurgensen was convicted of a felony for embezzling $549 in a stock transaction between a co-defendant and a railroad station agent in September 1934.Lieut. Governor Out: Nebraska Court Removes Official In Embezzling Case The New York Times June 26, 1938 May 25, 2023 https://www.nytimes.com/1938/06/26/archives/lieut-governor-out-nebraska-court-removes-official-in-embezzling.html Jurgensen contested the conviction and sought to be renominated for a fourth term as lieutenant governor, but he was declared ineligible to participate in the primary.Time Capsule Omaha World-Herald June 27, 2012 May 25, 2023 http://www.omaha.com/article/20120627/LIVING/706279981 May 2, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140502231349/http://www.omaha.com/article/20120627/LIVING/706279981 deadNews, Views, and Gossip The Tryon Graphic June 30, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/771824578/ He was then removed from office by the Nebraska Supreme Court on June 25, 1938, leaving the lieutenant governor's office vacant. The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that the lieutenant governor's office became vacant on March 7 when he had been convicted of a felony since Article III, Section 23, of the Nebraska State Constitution provided at the time that "All offices created by this constitution shall become vacant by... conviction of a felony."Nebraska Loses Its Lieutenant Governor Pawnee Republican June 30, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/739963875/1938 Nebraska Blue Book State of Nebraska 138 http://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/l3000/D001-1938.pdf 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 Melville R. Hopewell died while in office on May 2, 1911.Encyclopedia of Nebraska Nancy Capace January 1, 1999 106 Somerset Publishers, Inc. 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. https://books.google.com/books?id=rWkP0DM_upwC&pg=PA106 At the time, the president pro tempore of the Nebraska State Senate, John H. Morehead, was considered the "Acting Lieutenant Governor" based on Article V, Section 18, of the Nebraska Constitution which provided that "If there be no lieutenant governor..., the president [pro tempore] of the senate shall act as governor until the vacancy is filled...."1915 Nebraska Blue Book 168 http://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/l3000/D001-1915.pdfGov. John Henry Morehead National Governors Association As senate president, Morehead succeeded to the office of lieutenant governor, where he served from 1911 to 1912. https://www.nga.org/governor/john-henry-morehead/ Based on this precedent, some believed that the Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature should assume the office of the lieutenant governor.Parsons Raises a Number Questions The Ravenna News July 15, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/750000937/ Then Nebraska Attorney General Richard C. Hunter issued an opinion based on this precedent that then Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature Charles J. Warner (who was also a candidate for governor) could perform the duties of the lieutenant governor without assuming the office.Nebr. May Be Without a Lieutenant Gov. Custer County Chief June 30, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/670147595/ Others believed that then Nebraska Governor Roy Cochran had the authority to appoint a lieutenant governor to fill the vacancy. When asked about Jurgensen's removal from office, Cochran said that he didn't think it was necessary to appoint a lieutenant governor at that time because "There is no necessity for haste. If the legislature were in session... it would be a different matter" since the Nebraska lieutenant governor presides over sessions of the legislature. Others believed that, under certain Nebraska laws, a special election needed to be held to fill the vacancy. Among these was Nate M. Parsons, a pharmacist from Lincoln, Nebraska, who filed to run for the vacant term of lieutenant governor very shortly before the deadline for filing to run in the primary elections.Surprises Are Recorded Late in Filing Dash Norfolk Daily News July 1, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/731555904/ Parsons argued, among other things, that Article IV, Section 18, of the Nebraska Constitution, which provided that "If there be no lieutenant governor... the president of the senate shall act as governor until the vacancy is filled,"1938 Nebraska Blue Book State of Nebraska 142 http://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/l3000/D001-1938.pdf and Article V, Section 21, which provided that "Vacancies in ...elective offices shall be filled by election,"1938 Nebraska Blue Book State of Nebraska 148 http://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/l3000/D001-1938.pdf meant that if the governor did not appoint someone to the office of lieutenant governor, then it was to be filled by special election. Nebraska Secretary of State Harry Swanson, who received Parsons' filing, asked Nebraska Attorney General Hunter to issue an opinion on the matter. 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]."Attorney General Opinions: Elections Public Officers: Filling Vacancy in Office of Lieutenant Governor for Unexpired Term Nebraska Legal News July 16, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/867846241/ 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." In 1938, the Nebraska primary elections were held on August 9. 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. 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.Books Close On Filings; Total Is 329 The Lincoln Star July 1, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/66725630/ Results Democratic primary results Democratic Party (US) 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.General Election Next Tuesday, November 8; Good Sized Vote Likely The Arnold Sentinel November 3, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/672381682/Nominated Grand Island Daily Independent October 6, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/693335980/ Because of this, Kroh had to run "by petition" and thus was not listed as a "Republican" on the ballot. Jack S. Kroh, from Ogallala, Nebraska, was the owner and publisher of the Keith County News.Kroh of Ogallala Selected to Fill Vacancy on Ballot The Tribune-Sentinel September 15, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/693218894/ He was a former president of the Nebraska Press Association and a former member of the Nebraska State Senate from 1923 to 1924.J. S. (Jack) Kroh Chadron Record October 28, 1938 May 25, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/674441237/ 7 General election Results Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial special election, 1938 Democratic Party (United States) Nate M. Parsons 229,780 61.71 Republican Party (United States) Jack S. Kroh 142,557 38.29 372,337 100.00 Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) 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.Nate M. Parsons Qualifies, Post, Lieut. Governor The North Platte Telegraph November 14, 1938 May 27, 2023 https://www.newspapers.com/image/746542932/ 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."Legislative Journal of the State of Nebraska, Fifty-Third Session, Convened January 3, 1939; Adjourned June 7, 1939, Lincoln, Nebraska See also 1938 Nebraska gubernatorial election References Lieutenant Gubernatorial Nebraska Category:November 1938 in the United States Category:Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial elections