Kenneth S. Wherry

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Kenneth Spicer Wherry (1892-1951) was a United States Senator from Nebraska.

He was born in Liberty, Gage County, Nebraska on February 28, 1892. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He graduted in 1914. He also attended Harvard University in 1915 and 1916.

During the First World War, Wherry served in the United States Navy Flying Corps.

He was a member of the Pawnee City council in 1927 and 1929; served as mayor of Pawnee City, Nebraska from 1929-1931 and 1938-1943, and as a member of the State Senate 1929-1932. He ran for Governor of Nebraska in 1932, but was defeated. Two years later, he was defeated in his first attempt at running for the Senate. He was finally elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1942, defeating George Norris, and was reelected in 1948 and served until his death. He served as Republican whip from 1944-1949 and Senate Minority Leader from 1949-1951.

He died in Washington, D.C., November 29, 1951, while serving as Republican Floor Leader.

Preceded by none	Senate Minority Whip 1943 – 1947	Succeeded by Scott W. Lucas
Preceded by J. Lister Hill	Senate Majority Whip 1947 – 1949	Succeeded by Francis J. Myers
Preceded by Alben Barkley	Senate Minority Leader 1951 – 1951	Succeeded by Styles Bridges

United States Senate Minority Leaders
Underwood • Robinson • McNary • Austin • McNary • White • Barkley • Wherry • Bridges • Johnson • Knowland • Dirksen • Scott • Baker • Byrd • Dole • Daschle • Lott • Daschle • Lott • Frist • Daschle • Reid • McConnell