1954 Nebraska gubernatorial election

1954 Nebraska gubernatorial election

November 2, 1954

Nominee Victor E. Anderson William Ritchie Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 250,080 164,753 Percentage 60.3% 39.7%

County results Anderson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Ritchie:      50–60%

Governor before election Robert B. Crosby Republican Elected Governor Victor E. Anderson Republican

The 1954 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1954, and featured Mayor of Lincoln Victor E. Anderson, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee, attorney William Ritchie.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Mabel Fossler
• P. J. Heaton, former city attorney for Sidney, Nebraska, and candidate in the Democratic primary for governor in 1944
• William Ritchie, attorney, Democratic nominee for United States Senate in 1952, and candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Nebraska in 1932^[1]
• Andrew E. Swanson, farmer from near Polk, Nebraska, and unsuccessful Republican primary candidate for lieutenant governor in 1944, governor in 1946 and 1948, and again for lieutenant governor in 1950 after failing to switch to the Democratic Party soon enough in 1950.^[2][3] Swanson was recognized as a perennial candidate.^[4]

Results

Democratic primary results^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William Ritchie	39,127	53.18
	Democratic	P. J. Heaton	18,481	25.12
	Democratic	Andrew E. Swanson	12,633	17.17
	Democratic	Mabel Fossler	3,312	4.50
	Democratic	Write-in	25	0.03

Republican primary

Candidates

• Victor E. Anderson, Mayor of Lincoln and former member of the Nebraska Legislature
• James L. Bourret
• Clarence R. Bristol
• Louis H. Hector
• John McKernan
• Frederick H. Wagener, Lancaster County Attorney
• Arthur B. Walker, physician^[6] and perennial candidate in the Republican primaries (who ran for governor in 1952, 1950, 1948, 1946, and for lieutenant governor in 1938)

Results

Republican primary results^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Victor E. Anderson	91,624	60.24
	Republican	Frederick H. Wagener	40,140	26.39
	Republican	Clarence R. Bristol	6,654	4.38
	Republican	Arthur B. Walker	5,664	3.72
	Republican	John McKernan	3,374	2.22
	Republican	James L. Bourret	3,319	2.18
	Republican	Louis H. Hector	1,295	0.85
	Republican	Write-in	19	0.01

General election

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1954^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Victor E. Anderson	250,080	60.28%
	Democratic	William Ritchie	164,753	39.72%
	Write-in	Others	8	>0.01%
Total votes			414,841	100.0%
	Republican hold

See also

• 1954 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election

References

1. "Nebraska State Historical Society Collection Record; Ritchie, William 1886-1956" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 15, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
2. "Andrew E. Swanson Files For Governor For Third Time". The Lincoln Star. January 21, 1950. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
3. "State Capital News... Omaha Attorney May Have Pulled "Slicker"". Dakota County Star. July 6, 1950. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
4. "Primary Election Is Just Month Away; Filing Deadline Past". Osceola Record. July 8, 1954. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
5. "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska - Primary Election August 10, 1954 & General Election November 2, 1954" (PDF). Nebraska Library Commission.
6. "State Primary Candidates". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 9, 1946. Dr. A. B. Walker, Republican, 68, Lincoln; physician.