# 1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska

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vte :
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.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

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

### Results

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

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Hugh A. Butler, Republican National committeeman for Nebraska
* 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 :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 166,227 | 100.00% |

## Results

1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska :
| Party | 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 | Majority | Majority | 92,591 | 15.51% | +3.07% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 596,891 | 100.00% | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |