The 1908 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1908, and featured incumbent Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Melville R. Hopewell, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee Erasmus O. Garrett as well as Prohibition Party nominee Frank E. Linch and Socialist Party nominee Thomas Jorgenson.
Democratic primary
Candidates Erasmus O. Garrett, former superintendent of schools and general agent for the American Book Company from Fremont, Nebraska James A. Grimison, district judge and former county attorney of Colfax County from Schuyler, Nebraska Addison S. Tibbets, judge and vice president of the state prison association from Lincoln, Nebraska
Results
People's Independent primary
Candidates The People's Independent Party, a remnant of the earlier populist movement, chose between two of the democratic candidates for lieutenant governor since the Democratic Party and the Populist Party had run on "fusion" tickets in past elections.
Results
Prohibition primary
Candidates Frank E. Linch ran unopposed for the Prohibition Party nomination. He was a businessman and insurance agent from Lincoln, Nebraska, and a prominent Methodist who was involved in religious and charitable organizations.
Results
Republican primary
Candidates Melville R. Hopewell, the incumbent Nebraska Lieutenant Governor from Tekamah, Nebraska, ran unopposed for the Republican Party nomination.
Results
Socialist primary
Candidates Thomas Jorgenson from Florence, Nebraska W. C. Rodgers from Wahoo, Nebraska
Results
General election The result of the general election was extremely close, the separation between Melville Hopewell and Erasmus O. Garrett being only 230 votes. In the gubernatorial race, Democratic candidate Ashton Shallenberger defeated Republican incumbent George L. Sheldon by a few thousand votes, leading many to think that the same would happen in the race for lieutenant governor. In fact, some newspapers called the election for Garrett after most of the results had come in. However, the election took weeks to resolve. When the election had been declared for Hopewell, Garrett initially stated he would ask the Nebraska Legislature for a recount. However, Garrett later decided not to request a recount and to concede the election to Hopewell. He wrote an open letter explaining his decision and thanking his supporters, saying that some thought enough errors could be discovered to give him the victory, but he would not challenge the result.
Results
See also 1908 Nebraska gubernatorial election
References