Charles W. Bryan Democratic
Adam McMullen Republican
The 1924 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1924, and featured former state Senator Adam McMullen, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee, former state Representative John N. Norton, and Progressive nominee, Omaha City Commissioner Dan B. Butler.
Incumbent Governor Charles W. Bryan, initially the nominee of both the Democratic and Progressive parties, withdrew from the race after being nominated for Vice President of the United States at the 1924 Democratic National Convention on July 9.
Following Bryan's withdrawal from the race, the Democratic State Central Committee met in Lincoln to choose a replacement on July 24. Among others, candidates considered for the nomination included Omaha City Commissioner John H. Hopkins, former state Representative John N. Norton of Polk, Morrill County Attorney Kenneth M. McDonald of Bridgeport, and former U.S. Representative Dan V. Stephens of Fremont. Norton was chosen on the seventeenth ballot after Hopkins and Stephens each withdrew their names, and besting McDonald with the necessary two-thirds of the vote.[4][5]
Omaha City Commissioner Dan B. Butler, a Democrat and supporter of Senator Robert M. La Follette in the 1924 presidential election, was chosen by the three member Progressive Party State Executive Committee.[5][6]
Charles Graff, agriculturist and livestock breeder of Bancroft, has tossed his sombrero into the democratic arena at the very feet of Governor Bryan. Thursday morning he filed with the secretary of state as a candidate for the crown now worn by the chief executive.
...while for the gubernatorial nomination, Governor Charles W. Bryan and Charles Graff, president of the state board of agriculture, were their candidates. Besides, George W. Sterling of Omaha, who favors a referendum on light wines and beer, the Republicans seeking nomination for governor were: Adam McMullen, banker and lawyer of Beatrice; Albert N. Mathers, banker and farmer of Gering, C. H. Gustafson of Lincoln, former head of the United States Grain Growers, Inc., and W. F. Stoecker of Omaha.
John N. Norton, veteran legislator and farmer, of Polk, was, nominated on governor on the Democratic ticket by the Democratic state central committee at the Lincoln hotel Thursday on the seventeenth ballot. On the seventeenth ballot he defeated Kenneth McDonald of Bridgeport, who proved to be the only real opponent after considerable balloting. The nomination came at 8.30 o'clock in the evening. The committee had been called together at 2 o'clock for the purpose of nominating a candidate to take the place of Governor Bryan...Norton was nominated after John Hopkins, city commissioner of Omaha, had withdrawn. Hopkins was high man with twelve votes when he withdrew. Thirty-four votes were necessary to nominate in the committee. Fifty-three votes were cast on most of the ballots. Following this withdrawal a telegram from Dan V. Stephens of Fremont was read withdrawing his name. Hopkins Withdraws. Mr. Hopkins directed that his supporters be released in the interests of harmony. He spoke briefly when called for and said he desired the highest as well as the lowest to have a chance. He did not desire to prolong the session. "In the interest of harmony and the party I withdraw," he told the committee.
The Progressive central committee instead nominated Dan Butler, Omaha city commissioner, known as the original municipal coal yard operator. A life long Democrat, Mr. Butler accepted the nomination and pledged his support to La Follette for president. He had announced he would run for governor as a candidate "by petition" if the progressive nomination was denied him.