.png) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
 County results Downey: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Bancroft: 40–50% 50–60% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
The1938 United States Senate election in California was held on November 2, 1938. IncumbentDemocratic SenatorWilliam Gibbs McAdoo ran for a second term, but was defeated bySheridan Downey in the Democratic primary. Downey went on to defeat Philip Bancroft in the general election.
Senator McAdoo had the support of PresidentFranklin Roosevelt andGeorge Creel.
Downey was supported by his 1934 running mateUpton Sinclair and pensioner advocateFrancis Townsend.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sheridan Downey | 511,952 | 46.05% | |
| Democratic | William Gibbs McAdoo (incumbent) | 375,930 | 33.82% | |
| Republican | Ray Riley (cross-filing) | 103,748 | 9.33% | |
| Democratic | John W. Preston | 95,547 | 8.60% | |
| Democratic | James W. Mellen | 24,467 | 2.20% | |
| Total votes | 1,111,644 | 100.00% | ||
Although he did notcross-file to appear on the ballot, Sheridan Downey did receive write-in votes.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Philip Bancroft | 295,751 | 44.86% | |
| Republican | Ray L. Riley | 292,940 | 44.43% | |
| Republican | Louise Ward Watkins | 54,248 | 8.23% | |
| Democratic | Sheridan Downey (write-in) | 16,360 | 2.48% | |
| Total votes | 659,299 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) | 4,507 | 64.04% | |
| Republican | Ray L. Riley (cross-filing) | 1,552 | 22.05% | |
| California Progressive Party | Paul H. Bruns | 939 | 13.91% | |
| Total votes | 659,299 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) | 14,132 | 91.39% | |
| Republican | Ray L. Riley (cross-filing) | 7,038 | 8.61% | |
| Total votes | 15,463 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sheridan Downey | 1,372,314 | 54.43% | |
| Republican | Philip Bancroft | 1,126,240 | 44.67% | |
| Socialist | Lillian S. Clemente | 22,569 | 0.90% | |
| Total votes | 2,521,123 | 100.00% | ||
