1938 United States Senate elections

The United States Senate elections of 1938 occurred in the middle of Franklin D. Roosevelt's second term. This occurred six years after the Democratic landslide in the 1932 election, and so the opposition Republicans gained seven seats from the Democrats. However, the Democrats retained a commanding lead over the Republicans with more than two-thirds of the chamber.

1938 United States Senate elections
November 8, 1938
35 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate
49 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Alben Barkley Charles McNary
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since July 22, 1937 March 4, 1933
Leader's seat Kentucky Oregon
Seats before 77 15
Seats after 69 23
Seat change 8 8
Seats up 32 3
Races won 24 11
  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Farmer–Labor Progressive
Seats before 2 1
Seats after 2 1
Seat change
Seats up 0 0
Races won 0 0
  Fifth party
 
Party Independent
Seats before 1
Seats after 1
Seat change
Seats up 0
Races won 0
Results of the elections:
     Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     No election
Majority Leader before election

Alben Barkley
Democratic

 Elected Majority Leader

Alben Barkley
Democratic

For related races, see 1938 United States elections.

Background

A contemporary account[1] cited a number of reasons for the losses suffered by the Democrats. The first was the Recession of 1937, which had continued into the first half of 1938, and which had arguably weakened public confidence in the administration's New Deal economic policies. Controversy over the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937 (Roosevelt's "court-packing" plan) was also a major factor. There were, in addition, strains between the more liberal New Deal supporters and the conservative wing of the Democratic party centered in the Southern states. These strains were exacerbated by an effort led by President Roosevelt to target certain conservative senators for defeat in Democratic primaries, including Walter George of Georgia, Millard Tydings of Maryland and Ellison Smith of South Carolina, along with the chairman of the House Rules Committee, John J. O'Connor of New York. While a number of New Deal supporters won primary elections, such as Sen. Alben Barkley in Kentucky, who defeated future baseball commissioner Happy Chandler, Sen. James P. Pope of Idaho, a prominent New Deal supporter, lost his bid for re-nomination, as did California senator William McAdoo, though McAdoo's Democratic opponent Sheridan Downey had campaigned as a liberal New Dealer who would also do more to improve pension plans.[2]

Given the high levels of Democratic success in the 1930, 1932, 1934 and 1936 elections, the Democrats were in a difficult position in defending a large number of seats, even without these pressures. This was the first of five consecutive elections where the GOP made gains in the Senate.

Gains and losses

Overall, the Democrats lost 7 seats to Republicans

  1. Augustine Lonergan (D-CT)
  2. George McGill (D-KS), the last Democrat ever elected to the Senate from Kansas as of 2020
  3. Fred H. Brown (D-NH)
  4. John Gerald Milton (D-NJ) had been appointed to replace A. Harry Moore (D), who resigned. Milton did not run in the special election to finish the current term (ending in 1941).
  5. Robert J. Bulkley (D-OH)
  6. Herbert Hitchcock (D-SD) had been appointed to replace Peter Norbeck (R), who died. Hitchcock lost the Democratic primary both to finish the current term (ending in 1939) and for the new term (ending in 1945).
  7. F. Ryan Duffy (D-WI)

Change in composition

Before the elections
  D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8
D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9
D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28
D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42 D43 D44 D45 D46
Ala. (reg) &
Ala. (sp)
Ran[lower-alpha 1]		 D47
Ariz.
Ran		 D48
Ark.
Ran
Majority → D49
Calif.
Ran
D58
Ky.
Ran		 D57
Kan.
Ran		 D56
Iowa
Ran		 D55
Ind.
Ran		 D54
Idaho
Ran		 D53
Ga.
Ran		 D52
Fla.
Ran		 D51
Conn.
Ran		 D50
Colo.
Ran
D59
La.
Ran		 D60
Md.
Ran		 D61
Mo.
Ran		 D62
Nev.
Ran		 D63
N.H.
Ran		 D64
N.Y. (reg)
Ran		 D65
N.C.
Ran		 D66
Ohio
Ran		 D67
Okla.
Ran		 D68
S.C.
Ran
FL2 D77
N.Y. (sp)
Died		 D76
Ore. (reg) &
Ore. (sp)
Retired		 D75
N.J. (sp)
Retired		 D74
Ill.
Retired		 D73
Wisc.
Ran		 D72
Wash.
Ran		 D71
Utah
Ran		 D70
Tenn. (sp)
Ran		 D69
S.D. (reg) &
S.D. (sp)
Ran
FL1 I1 P1 R15
Vt.
Ran		 R14
Pa.
Ran		 R13
N.D.
Ran		 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Result of the elections
  D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8
D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9
D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28
D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42 D43 D44 D45 D46
Ala. (sp)
Elected[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 1]
Ala. (reg)
Re-elected[lower-alpha 1]		 D47
Ariz.
Re-elected		 D48
Ark.
Re-elected
Majority → D49
Colo.
Re-elected
D58
Nev.
Re-elected		 D57
Mo.
Re-elected		 D56
Md.
Re-elected		 D55
La.
Re-elected		 D54
Ky.
Re-elected		 D53
Iowa
Re-elected		 D52
Ind.
Re-elected		 D51
Ga.
Re-elected		 D50
Fla.
Re-elected
D59
N.Y. (reg)
Re-elected		 D60
N.C.
Re-elected		 D61
Okla.
Re-elected		 D62
S.C.
Re-elected		 D63
Utah
Re-elected		 D64
Wash.
Re-elected		 D65
Calif.
Hold		 D66
Idaho
Hold		 D67
Ill.
Hold		 D68
N.Y. (sp)
Hold
R19
N.J. (sp)
Gain		 R20
Ohio
Gain		 R21
Ore. (reg) &
Ore. (sp)
Gain		 R22
S.D. (reg) &
S.D. (sp)
Gain		 R23
Wisc.
Gain		 P1 I1 FL1 FL2 D69
Tenn. (sp)
Hold
R18
N.H.
Gain		 R17
Kan.
Gain		 R16
Conn.
Gain		 R15
Vt.
Re-elected		 R14
Pa.
Re-elected		 R13
N.D.
Re-elected		 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
Key:
D# Democratic
FL# Farmer–Labor
I# Independent
P# Progressive
R# Republican

Race summaries

Special elections during the 75th Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1938 or before January 3, 1939; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama
(Class 2)		 J. Lister Hill Democratic 1938 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected April 26, 1938.
New Jersey
(Class 1)		 John Gerald Milton Democratic 1938 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
Winner elected November 8, 1938.
Republican gain.
New York
(Class 1)		 Royal S. Copeland Democratic 1922
1928
1934		 Incumbent died June 17, 1938.
Winner elected November 8, 1938.
Democratic hold.
  • Y James M. Mead (Democratic) 53.6%
  • Edward F. Corsi (Republican) 45.8%
Oregon
(Class 3)		 Alfred E. Reames Democratic 1938 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
Winner elected November 8, 1938.
Republican gain.
Winner also elected to next term, see below.
South Dakota
(Class 3)		 Herbert E. Hitchcock Democratic 1936 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination to finish the term.
Winner elected November 8, 1938.
Republican gain.
Winner did not run for the next term, however, see below.
  • Y Gladys Pyle (Republican) 58.1%
  • John T. McCullen (Democratic) 41.9%
Tennessee
(Class 1)		 George L. Berry Democratic 1937 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination to finish the term.
Winner elected November 8, 1938.
Democratic hold.

Races leading to the 76th Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1939; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral
history
Alabama J. Lister Hill Democratic 1938 (Appointed)
1938 (Special)		 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Y J. Lister Hill (Democratic) 86.4%
  • J. M. Pennington (Republican) 13.6%
Arizona Carl Hayden Democratic 1926
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Y Carl Hayden (Democratic) 76.5%
  • B. H. Clingan (Republican) 23.5%
Arkansas Hattie Wyatt Caraway Democratic 1931 (Appointed)
1932 (Special)		 Incumbent re-elected.
California William Gibbs McAdoo Democratic 1932 Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Incumbent then resigned and Thomas M. Storke (D) was appointed to finish the term.
  • Y Sheridan Downey (Democratic) 54.4%
  • Philip Bancroft (Republican) 44.7%
  • Lillain Symes Clements (Socialist) 0.9%
Colorado Alva B. Adams Democratic 1923 (Appointed)
1924 (Retired)
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Y Alva B. Adams (Democratic) 58.2%
  • Archibald A. Lee (Republican) 40.2%
Connecticut Augustine Lonergan Democratic 1932 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Florida Claude Pepper Democratic 1936 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Y Claude Pepper (Democratic) 82.5%
  • Thomas E. Swanson (Republican) 17.6%
Georgia Walter F. George Democratic 1922 (Special)
1926
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
Idaho James P. Pope Democratic 1932 Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Illinois William H. Dieterich Democratic 1932 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Indiana Frederick Van Nuys Democratic 1932 Incumbent re-elected.
Iowa Guy Gillette Democratic 1936 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
Kansas George McGill Democratic 1930 (Special)
1932		 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Kentucky Alben W. Barkley Democratic 1926
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana John H. Overton Democratic 1932 Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland Millard Tydings Democratic 1926
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri Bennett Champ Clark Democratic 1932
1933 (Appointed)		 Incumbent re-elected.
Nevada Pat McCarran Democratic 1932 Incumbent re-elected.
New Hampshire Fred H. Brown Democratic 1932 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
New York Robert F. Wagner Democratic 1926
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
North Carolina Robert R. Reynolds Democratic 1932 (Special)
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
North Dakota Gerald Nye Republican 1925 (Appointed)
1926 (Special)
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio Robert J. Bulkley Democratic 1930 (Special)
1932		 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Oklahoma Elmer Thomas Democratic 1926
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Y Elmer Thomas (Democratic) 65.4%
  • Harry G. Glasser (Republican) 33.9%
Oregon Alfred E. Reames Democratic 1938 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Winner also elected to finish term, see above.
Pennsylvania James J. Davis Republican 1930 (Special)
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina Ellison D. Smith Democratic 1909
1914
1920
1926
1932		 Incumbent re-elected.
South Dakota Herbert E. Hitchcock Democratic 1936 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination to next term.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Utah Elbert D. Thomas Democratic 1932 Incumbent re-elected.
Vermont Ernest Willard Gibson Republican 1933 (Appointed)
1934 (Special)		 Incumbent re-elected.
Washington Homer Bone Democratic 1932 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Y Homer Bone (Democratic) 62.6%
  • Ewing D. Colvin (Republican) 37.1%
  • Eugene Solie (Socialist Labor) 0.3%
Wisconsin F. Ryan Duffy Democratic 1932 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.

Alabama
Senator J. Lister Hill
See also: List of United States senators from Alabama and 1938 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama

There were 2 elections due to the August 19, 1937 resignation of two-term Democrat Hugo Black. Democrat Dixie Bibb Graves was appointed August 20, 1937 (by her husband, the governor) to finish Black's term.

Alabama (Special)
Alabama special Democratic primary, January 4, 1938[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Lister Hill 49,429 100.0%
Democratic James Thomas Heflin, former U.S. senator 50,189 34.24%
Democratic Charles W. Williams 5,783 3.95%
Turnout 1.87%
Democratic hold
Majority 40,412 27.57%

After congressman J. Lister Hill won the January 4, 1938 Democratic primary, Gibbs resigned and Hill was appointed to continue the term until the April 26, 1938 special election, which he won unoppposed.

Alabama special election, April 26, 1938[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Lister Hill (Incumbent) 49,429 100.0%
Turnout 1.87%
Democratic hold

Hill was then easily re-elected in November to the next term.

Alabama (Regular)
Alabama election[5][6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Lister Hill (Incumbent) 113,413 86.38%
Republican J. M. Pennington 17,885 13.62%
None Scattering 1 0.00%
Majority 95,528 72.76%
Turnout 131,299 4.96%
Democratic hold

Arizona
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Arizona
Arizona election
 
Nominee Carl Hayden Burt H. Clingan
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 82,714 25,378
Percentage 76.52% 23.48%
U.S. senator before election

Carl Hayden
Democratic

 Elected U.S. Senator

Carl Hayden
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Carl Hayden ran for re-election to a third term, defeating Republican nominee Burt H. Clingan, chairman of the Arizona Industrial Commission, in the general election.

In contrast to previous elections, Hayden was easily reelected, receiving only token opposition from a relatively unknown Republican challenger.

Democratic primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carl T. Hayden (Incumbent) 68,328 65.48%
Democratic Robert E. Miller 22,154 21.23%
Democratic Whit I. Hughes 13,867 13.29%
Total votes 104,349 100.00
Arizona election[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Carl T. Hayden (Incumbent) 82,714 76.52%
Republican Burt H. Clingan 25,378 23.48%
Majority 57,336 53.04%
Turnout 108,092
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Arkansas
Arkansas election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Hattie Wyatt Caraway (Incumbent) 122,883 89.58%
Republican C. T. Atkinson 14,290 10.42%
Majority 108,593 79.16%
Turnout 137,173
Democratic hold

California
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in California
California election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sheridan Downey 1,372,314 54.41%
Republican Philip Bancroft 1,126,240 44.65%
Socialist Lillian Symes Clements 22,569 0.89%
None Scattering 1,019 0.04%
Majority 246,074 9.76%
Turnout 2,522,142
Democratic hold

Colorado
Colorado election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alva B. Adams (Incumbent) 262,786 58.24%
Republican Archibald A. Lee 181,297 40.18%
Socialist Carle Whitehead 3,604 0.80%
Independent Progressive James Allander 3,522 0.78%
Majority 81,489 18.06%
Turnout 451,209
Democratic hold

Connecticut
Connecticut election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John A. Danaher 270,413 42.89%
Democratic Augustine Lonergan (Incumbent) 252,426 40.04%
Socialist Bellani Trombley 99,282 15.75%
Socialist Labor Joseph Mackey 6,931 1.10%
American Labor Philip Brainard 766 0.12%
Communist Michael A. Russo 615 0.10%
Majority 17,987 2.85%
Turnout 630,433
Republican gain from Democratic

Florida
Florida election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Claude Pepper (Incumbent) 145,757 82.45%
Republican Thomas E. Swanson 31,035 17.55%
Majority 114,722 64.90%
Turnout 176,792
Democratic hold

Georgia
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Georgia
Georgia election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walter F. George (Incumbent) 66,987 95.09%
Independent Charles A. Jiles 3,442 4.89%
Independent Eugene Talmadge 14 0.02%
Majority 63,545 90.20%
Turnout 70,443
Democratic hold

Idaho
Idaho election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Worth Clark 99,801 54.66%
Republican Donald A. Callahan 81,939 44.88%
Progressive V. A. Verhei 845 0.46%
Majority 17,862 9.78%
Turnout 182,585
Democratic hold

Illinois

Incumbent Democrat William H. Dieterich retired, making this an open-seat.

Illinois election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scott W. Lucas 1,638,162 51.32%
Republican Richard J. Lyons 1,542,574 48.33%
Prohibition Enoch A. Holtwick 10,707 0.34%
None Scattering 569 0.02%
Majority 95,588 2.99%
Turnout 3,192,012
Democratic hold

Indiana
Indiana election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frederick Van Nuys (Incumbent) 788,386 49.85%
Republican Raymond E. Willis 783,189 49.52%
Prohibition Herman L. Seeger 6,905 0.44%
Socialist Louis E. Roebuck 2,026 0.13%
Communist Miles Blansett 984 0.06%
Majority 5,197 0.33%
Turnout 1,581,490
Democratic hold

Iowa
Iowa election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Guy Gillette (Incumbent) 413,788 49.74%
Republican Lester J. Dickinson 410,983 49.41%
Farmer–Labor George F. Buresch 4,723 0.57%
Progressive Raymond E. Hanke 1,525 0.18%
Prohibition G. W. Bauseman 820 0.10%
Majority 2,805 0.33%
Turnout 831,839
Democratic hold

Kansas
Kansas election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Clyde M. Reed 419,532 56.21%
Democratic George McGill (Incumbent) 326,774 43.78%
None Joe Corpstein 99 0.01%
Majority 92,758 12.43%
Turnout 746,405
Republican gain from Democratic

Kentucky
Kentucky election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alben W. Barkley (Incumbent) 346,735 62.03%
Republican John P. Haswell 212,266 37.97%
Democratic Happy Chandler (write-in) 20 0.00%
Majority 134,469 22.06%
Turnout 559,021
Democratic hold

Louisiana
Louisiana election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John H. Overton (Incumbent) 151,582 99.84%
Independent Maurice E. Clark 250 0.16%
Majority 151,332 99.68%
Turnout 151,832
Democratic hold

Maryland
Maryland election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Millard Tydings (Incumbent) 357,245 68.28%
Republican Oscar Lesser 153,253 29.29%
Union George W. Hunt 5,784 1.11%
Socialist Elisabeth Gilman 3,311 0.63%
American Labor Frank N. H. Lang 2,330 0.45%
Communist Harry Straw 1,301 0.25%
Majority 203,992 38.99%
Turnout 523,238
Democratic hold

Missouri
Missouri election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bennett Champ Clark (Incumbent) 757,587 60.69%
Republican Henry S. Caulfield 488,687 39.15%
Socialist J. G. Hodges 1,712 0.14%
Socialist Labor Karl L. Oberhue 292 0.02%
Majority 268,900 21.54%
Turnout 1,248,278
Democratic hold

Nevada
Nevada election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pat McCarran (Incumbent) 27,406 58.96%
Republican Tasker Oddie 19,078 41.04%
Majority 8,328 17.92%
Turnout 46,484
Democratic hold

New Hampshire
New Hampshire election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles W. Tobey 100,633 54.23%
Democratic Fred H. Brown (Incumbent) 84,920 45.77%
Majority 15,713 8.46%
Turnout 185,553
Republican gain from Democratic

New Jersey (Special)
New Jersey special election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Warren Barbour 816,667 52.98%
Democratic William H. J. Ely 704,159 45.68%
Prohibition Louis H. Kelley 8,201 0.53%
Socialist John Palangio 3,671 0.24%
Townsend Pension-Labor Fred Turner 3,521 0.23%
Communist William Norman 3,515 0.23%
Socialist Labor John C. Butterworth 1,873 0.12%
Majority 112,508 7.30%
Turnout 1,541,607
Republican gain from Democratic

New York

There were 2 elections due to the June 17, 1938 death of three-term Democrat Royal S. Copeland.

New York (Regular)
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in New York

New York Republicans nominated John Lord O'Brian for the U.S. Senate.[9] Democrats re-nominated the incumbent Wagner.[10] The American Labor party endorsed Wagner.[11]

Office Democratic ticket Republican ticket American Labor ticket Socialist ticket Independent Progressive ticket Industrial Government ticket blank, void and scattering total
U.S. Senator, full term Robert F. Wagner 2,497,029
2,098,919 as Democrat		 John Lord O'Brian 2,058,615
2,046,794 as Republican		 Robert F. Wagner 398,110 as American Labor Herman J. Hahn[lower-alpha 4] 23,553 John Lord O'Brian 11,821 as Independent Progressive O. Martin Olson[lower-alpha 5] 3,851 232,485 4,815,533

New York (Special)

New York Republicans nominated Edward Corsi for the short Senate term.[9] Democrats nominated James M. Mead.[10] The American Labor party endorsed Mead.[11]

Office Democratic ticket Republican ticket American Labor ticket Socialist ticket Independent Progressive ticket
U.S. Senator, short term[lower-alpha 6] James M. Mead 2,438,904 Edward F. Corsi 2,083,666 James M. Mead Harry W. Laidler 27,161 Edward F. Corsi

North Carolina
North Carolina election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Rice Reynolds (Incumbent) 316,685 63.80%
Republican Charles A. Jonas 179,650 36.20%
Majority 137,035 27.60%
Turnout 496,335
Democratic hold

North Dakota
North Dakota election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gerald Nye (Incumbent) 131,907 50.12%
Independent William Langer 112,007 42.56%
Democratic J. J. Nygard 19,244 7.31%
Majority 19,900 7.56%
Turnout 263,158
Republican hold

Ohio
Ohio election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert A. Taft 1,255,414 53.62%
Democratic Robert J. Bulkley (Incumbent) 1,085,792 46.38%
Majority 169,622 7.24%
Turnout 2,341,206
Republican gain from Democratic

Oklahoma
Oklahoma election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elmer Thomas (Incumbent) 307,936 65.37%
Republican Harry G. Glasser 159,734 33.91%
Prohibition P. C. Nelson 2,220 0.47%
Independent Raymond B. Clark 603 0.13%
Independent Herndon J. Thompson 573 0.12%
Majority 148,202 31.46%
Turnout 471,066
Democratic hold

Oregon

There were 2 elections for the same seat, due to the January 31, 1938 resignation of two-term Republican Frederick Steiwer. Democratic businessman Alfred E. Reames was appointed February 11, 1938 to continue the term, pending a special election, but he did not run in either the special or the general elections.

Oregon (Special)
Senator Alexander G. Barry

Republican Alexander G. Barry was elected to finish the term, but was not a candidate for the next term.

Oregon special election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alexander G. Barry 180,815 54.20%
Democratic Robert A. Miller 152,773 45.80%
None Scattering 3 0.00%
Majority 28,042 8.40%
Turnout 333,591
Republican gain from Democratic

Oregon (Regular)
Senator Rufus C. Holman
Oregon general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rufus C. Holman 203,120 54.86%
Democratic Willis Mahoney 167,135 45.14%
None Scattering 6 0.00%
Majority 35,985 9.72%
Turnout 370,261
Republican gain from Democratic

Pennsylvania
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania
General election results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James J. Davis (incumbent) 2,086,931 54.70%
Democratic George H. Earle 1,694,367 44.41%
Socialist David H. H. Felix 20,155 0.53%
Prohibition Forest S. Van Valin 9,327 0.24%
Pathfinders Reginald B. Naugle 2,508 0.07%
Communist Pat Toohey 1,530 0.04%
None Scattering 104 0.00%
Majority 392,564 10.29%
Turnout 3,814,922
Republican hold

South Carolina
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in South Carolina
South Carolina election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ellison D. Smith (Incumbent) 45,351 98.89%
Republican J. D. E. Meyer 508 1.11%
None Scattering 2 0.00%
Majority 44,843 97.78%
Turnout 45,861
Democratic hold

South Dakota
See also: List of United States senators from South Dakota and 1938 United States House of Representatives elections in South Dakota

There were 2 elections for the same seat due to the December 20, 1936 death of three-term Republican Peter Norbeck. Democrat Herbert Hitchcock was appointed December 29, 1936 to continue the term, pending a special election.

South Dakota (Special)
Senator Gladys Pyle
South Dakota election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gladys Pyle 155,292 58.06%
Democratic John T. McCullen 112,177 41.94%
Majority 43,115 16.12%
Turnout 267,469
Republican gain from Democratic

South Dakota (Regular)
Senator John Chandler Gurney

Hitchcock lost the Democratic May 3, 1938 primary for the next term to Governor of South Dakota Tom Berry.[12]

South Dakota general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Chandler Gurney[13] 146,813 52.46%
Democratic Tom Berry 133,064 47.54%
Majority 13,749 4.92%
Turnout 279,877
Republican gain from Democratic

Tennessee (Special)
Tennessee special election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Stewart 194,028 70.50%
Republican Harley G. Fowler 72,098 26.20%
Independent John Randolph Neal, Jr. 9,106 3.31%
Majority 21,930 44.30%
Turnout 275,232
Democratic hold

Utah
Utah election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elbert D. Thomas (Incumbent) 102,353 55.80%
Republican Franklin S. Harris 81,071 44.20%
Majority 21,282 11.60%
Turnout 183,424
Democratic hold

Vermont
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Vermont
Vermont election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ernest Willard Gibson (Incumbent) 73,990 65.58%
Democratic John McGrath 38,673 34.28%
None Scattering 161 0.14%
Majority 35,317 31.30%
Turnout 112,824
Republican hold

Washington
Washington election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Homer Bone (Incumbent) 371,535 62.62%
Republican Ewing D. Colvin 220,204 37.12%
Socialist Labor Eugene Solie 1,553 0.26%
Majority 151,331 25.50%
Turnout 593,292
Democratic hold

Wisconsin
Wisconsin election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alexander Wiley 416,770 45.92%
Progressive Herman Ekern 249,209 27.46%
Democratic F. Ryan Duffy 231,976 25.56%
Independent Townsend Republican John B. Chapple 7,251 0.80%
Communist Fred Basset Blair 1,283 0.14%
Independent Socialist Labor Joseph Erhardt 1,014 0.11%
None Scattering 31 0.00%
Majority 167,561 18.46%
Turnout 907,534
Republican gain from Progressive

Further reading

See also

Notes
  1. On the day of the special election, the interim appointee, Dixie Bibb Graves had resigned and been replaced by a new interim appointee — J. Lister Hill — who then won the special election ("Hold") and was re-elected in November ("Re-elected").
  2. Appointee elected
  3. Won special election in November 1938, but remained district attorney general until January 16, 1939, after the next Congress began.
  4. Rev. Herman J. Hahn, of Buffalo, ran also for Lieutenant Governor in 1928 and 1936.
  5. O. Martin Olson, of Jamestown, ran also for Comptroller in 1934
  6. to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Royal S. Copeland

References
  1. 1939 Britannica Book of the Year, "Democratic Party", pages 205-6
  2. LIFE. Time Inc. 1994. p. 13. ISSN 0024-3019. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  3. "Our Campaigns - AL US Senate - Special D Primary Race - Jan 04, 1938". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  4. "Our Campaigns - AL US Senate - Special Election Race - Apr 26, 1938". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  5. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1938" (PDF). Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  6. "Our Campaigns - AL US Senate Race - Nov 08, 1938". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  7. "Our Campaigns - AZ US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 13, 1938". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  8. "Our Campaigns - AZ US Senate Race - Nov 08, 1938". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  9. Hagerty, James A. (September 30, 1938). "DEWEY NOMINATED BY REPUBLICANS; ATTACKES TAMMANY; CHOICE BY ACCLAMATION Dewey Defends Decision to Run Points to Prosecuting Staff HAILED IN OVATION Prosecutor Promises to Rid State of 'Corruption' in 'Bigger Job' O'Brian and Corsi Nominated for Senate--A. V. McDermott for Attorney General DEWEY NOMINATED BY REPUBLICANS Republican Mayor Gets Bid to Inauguration Delay in Completing Ticket Criticizes Farm Legislation Politics the Biggest Racket". The New York Times. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  10. Times, Warren Moscowspecial To the New York (October 1, 1938). "LEHMAN IS DRAFTED FOR FOURTH TERM; HE ATTACKS DEWEY; POLETTI ON TICKET Yielding to Pleas to Run, Governor Insists on Justice as Aide CALLS RIVAL UNQUALIFIED Rochester Platform Hits Republican's Crime Issue--Wagner, Mead Are Nominated Calls Dewey Inexperienced Dewey Crime Speech a Factor LEHMAN DRAFTED FOR FOURTH TERM Platform Strong for New Deal La Guardia a Meed Champion Farley Predicts a Big Victory Hailed as". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  11. Hagerty, James A. (October 4, 1938). "LABORITES NAME LEHMAN WAGNER; ADOPT PLATFORM; OVATION FOR BOTH Governor, Accepting, Stresses Policy of Law Enforcement POLETTI ALSO NOMINATED Endorsement Efforts Fall Wagner Cites Record La Guardia is Acclaimed as He Urges Candidates Friendly to Roosevelt LABORITIES NAME LEHMAN, WAGNER Yields to Dubinsky Lehman Is Acclaimed Hillman Offers Wagner's Name Vladeck in Seconding Speech". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  12. "Our Campaigns - SD US Senate - D Primary Race - May 03, 1938". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  13. "Our Campaigns - SD US Senate - R Primary Race - May 03, 1938". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
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