Melville R. Hopewell Republican Melville R. Hopewell Republican 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.

He was a businessman and insurance agent from Lincoln, Nebraska,[9][2] and a prominent Methodist who was involved in religious and charitable organizations.

[9] The result of the general election was extremely close, the separation between Melville Hopewell and Erasmus O. Garrett being only 230 votes.

[15] When the election had been declared for Hopewell, Garrett initially stated he would ask the Nebraska Legislature for a recount.

[17][18] 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.