1952 United States Senate special election in Nebraska

1952 United States Senate special election in Nebraska
← 1948 November 4, 1952 1954 (special) →
	County results; Griswold: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
U.S. senator before election; Fred A. Seaton; Republican	Elected U.S. Senator ; Dwight Griswold; Republican

The 1952 United States Senate special election in Nebraska took place on November 2, 1952. Republican Senator Kenneth S. Wherry, who was elected to his second term in 1948, died on November 29, 1951. Governor Val Peterson appointed Seaton to fill the seat until the 1952 general election. Seaton did not run in the special election. Instead, former Governor Dwight Griswold won the primary and defeated Democratic nominee William Ritchie in a landslide in the general election. However, Griswold himself would die in office on April 12, 1954, triggering another special election in 1954.

Democratic primary

Candidates

William Ritchie, former Chairman of the Nebraska Democratic Party^[1]
Henry L. Fillman, York insurance salesman, 1950 Democratic candidate for Governor^[2]

Results

Democratic primary results^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William Ritchie	76,446	78.85%
	Democratic	Henry L. Fillman	20,414	21.05%
	Democratic	Scattering	97	0.10%
Total votes			96,957	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Dwight Griswold, former Governor of Nebraska, member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents^[4]
Walter A. Nielsen, Omaha attorney and businessman^[5]
Al Misegadis, cement finisher^[5]

Results

Republican primary results ^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dwight Griswold	162,952	81.31%
	Republican	Walter A. Nielsen	31,873	15.91%
	Republican	Al Misegadis	5,153	2.56%
	Republican	Fred A. Seaton (inc.) (write-in)	68	0.03%
	Republican	Scattering	350	0.17%
Total votes			200,396	100.00%

Results

1952 United States Senate special election in Nebraska^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Dwight Griswold	369,841	63.57%	+6.87%
	Democratic	William Ritchie	211,898	36.42%	−6.88%
	Write-in		11	0.00%	—
Majority			157,943	27.15%	+13.75%
Total votes			581,750	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

↑ "Ritchie Files For Senate Short Term". Norfolk Daily News. Norfolk, Nebraska. January 8, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
↑ "H. Fillman Files For Short Term". York Republican. York, Nebraska. January 31, 1952. p. 2. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
1 2 3 Marsh, Frank (1948). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board (PDF).
↑ "Thumbnail Sketches of Candidates for the Senate". Grand Island Independent. Grand Island, Nebraska. March 11, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
1 2 "Who's Who in Nebraska April 1 Primary". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. March 20, 1952. p. 6. Retrieved February 25, 2025.

[1] "Ritchie Files For Senate Short Term". Norfolk Daily News. Norfolk, Nebraska. January 8, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved February 25, 2025.

[2] "H. Fillman Files For Short Term". York Republican. York, Nebraska. January 31, 1952. p. 2. Retrieved February 25, 2025.

[results-3] 1 2 3 Marsh, Frank (1948). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board (PDF).

[4] "Thumbnail Sketches of Candidates for the Senate". Grand Island Independent. Grand Island, Nebraska. March 11, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved February 25, 2025.

[whos_who-5] 1 2 "Who's Who in Nebraska April 1 Primary". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. March 20, 1952. p. 6. Retrieved February 25, 2025.

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