1938 United States Senate elections

← 1936 November 8, 1938 1940 →
← 1932 1944 →
35 of the 96 seats in theUnited 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 ElectedMajority Leader Alben Barkley Democratic

The1938 United States Senate elections occurred in the middle ofFranklin D. Roosevelt's second term. The 32 seats ofClass 3 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. The Republicans gained eight seats from the Democrats, though this occurred after multipleDemocratic gains since the1932 election, leading to the Democrats retaining a commanding lead over the Republicans with more than two-thirds of the legislative chamber.

A contemporary account^[1] cited a number of reasons for the losses suffered by the Democrats. The Recession of 1937 had continued into the first half of 1938, and had arguably weakened public confidence in the administration'sNew Deal economic policies, along with controversy over theJudicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937 (Roosevelt's "court-packing" plan).

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, which were exacerbated by an effort led by President Roosevelt to target certain conservative senators for defeat in Democratic primaries, includingWalter George ofGeorgia,Millard Tydings ofMaryland,Robert Rice Reynolds ofNorth Carolina, andEllison Smith ofSouth Carolina. While a number of New Deal supporters won primary elections, such asAlben Barkley inKentucky, who defeatedGovernorHappy Chandler,James P. Pope ofIdaho, a prominent New Deal supporter, lost his bid for re-nomination, as didCalifornia'sWilliam McAdoo — though McAdoo's Democratic opponent,Sheridan Downey, had campaigned as a liberal New Dealer on many issues who would also do more to improve pension plans.^[2]

PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt had faced opposition from conservative Democrats and the Republicans inCongress since the beginning of his presidency.Josiah Bailey,Edward R. Burke,Harry F. Byrd,James F. Byrnes,Walter F. George,Peter G. Gerry,Carter Glass,Pat Harrison,Rush Holt Sr.,Kenneth McKellar, andEllison D. Smith were the conservative Democratic senators that opposed Roosevelt's policies although Harrison, Burke, Byrnes, and McKellar had initially supported theFirst New Deal. Vice PresidentJohn Nance Garner pushed for Roosevelt to support more conservative policies. The Republicans gained eight seats in the Senate while the Democrats maintained their majority. However, there were around twenty unreliable Democratic votes for Roosevelt which allowed conservatives to block some of his policies.^[3]

One Democrat retired instead of seeking re-election, one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and election to a full term.

Seven Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election. One Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the primary election and one Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary election.

One Democrat died on June 17, 1938, and his seat remained vacant until the election.

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

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.

Thirteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

There is no tipping point state.

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

1938 United States Senate Democratic primary special election in Alabama

← 1932 January 4, 1938 1938 (regular) →

Nominee Lister Hill James Thomas Heflin Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 90,601 50,189 Percentage 61.81% 34.24%

County results Hill:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Heflin:     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Dixie Bibb Graves Democratic Elected U.S. Senator J. Lister Hill Democratic

After congressmanJ. Lister Hill won the January 4, 1938, Democratic primary,Graves resigned and Hill was appointed to continue the term until the April 26, 1938, special election, which he won unopposed.

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

1938 United States Senate Election in Alabama

← 1938 (special) November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Lister Hill J. M. Pennington Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 113,413 17,885 Percentage 86.38% 13.62%

County results Hill:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     90-100% Heflin:     50–60%

U.S. senator before election J. Lister Hill Democratic Elected U.S. Senator J. Lister Hill Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in Arizona

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Carl Hayden Burt H. Clingan Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 82,714 25,378 Percentage 76.52% 23.48%

County results Hayden:     70–80%     80–90%     >90%

U.S. senator before election Carl Hayden Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Carl Hayden Democratic

Incumbent DemocratCarl Hayden was re-elected 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.

1938 United States Senate election in Arkansas

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Hattie Caraway C. D. Atkinson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 122,883 14,290 Percentage 89.58% 10.42%

County results Caraway:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%

U.S. senator before election Hattie Caraway Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Hattie Caraway Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in California

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Sheridan Downey Philip Bancroft Party Democratic Republican Alliance Progressive Townsend Popular vote 1,372,314 1,126,240 Percentage 54.43% 44.67%

County results Downey:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Bancroft:     40–50%     50–60%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election William Gibbs McAdoo Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Sheridan Downey Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in Colorado

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1942 (special) →

Nominee Alva B. Adams Archibald A. Lee Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 262,806 181,297 Percentage 58.24% 40.18%

Results by county Adams:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Lee:     40–50%     50–60%

U.S. senator before election Alva B. Adams Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Alva B. Adams Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in Connecticut

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee John A. Danaher Augustine Lonergan Bellani Trombley Party Republican Democratic Socialist Alliance Union Popular vote 270,413 252,426 99,282 Percentage 42.89% 40.04% 15.75%

County results Municipality results Danaher:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Lonergan:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Trombley:     40–50% Tie:     30–40%

U.S. senator before election Augustine Lonergan Democratic Elected U.S. Senator John A. Danaher Republican

1938 United States Senate election in Florida

← 1936 (special) November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Claude Pepper Thomas E. Swanson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 145,757 31,035 Percentage 82.45% 17.55%

County results Pepper:     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     90-100%

Senator before election Claude Pepper Democratic Elected Senator Claude Pepper Democratic

1938 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Georgia

← 1932 September 14, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Walter F. George Eugene Talmadge Lawrence Camp Party Democratic Democratic Democratic Electoral vote 242 148 20 Popular vote 141,235 103,075 122,152 Percentage 43.96% 32.08% 19.69%

County results George:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Talmadge:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Camp:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Walter F. George Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Walter F. George Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in Idaho

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee D. Worth Clark Donald A. Callahan Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 99,801 81,939 Percentage 54.66% 44.88%

County results Clark:     50–60%     60–70% Callahan:     50-60%     60-70%

U.S. senator before election James P. Pope Democratic Elected U.S. Senator D. Worth Clark Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in Illinois

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Scott W. Lucas Richard J. Lyons Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,638,162 1,542,574 Percentage 51.32% 48.33%

County results Lucas:     50–60%     60–70% Lyons:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election William H. Dieterich Democratic Elected U.S. senator Scott W. Lucas Democratic

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

1938 United States Senate election in Indiana

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Frederick Van Nuys Raymond E. Willis Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 788,386 783,189 Percentage 49.85% 49.52%

County results Van Nuys:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Willis:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Frederick Van Nuys Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Frederick Van Nuys Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 1936 (special) November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Guy M. Gillette Lester J. Dickinson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 413,788 410,983 Percentage 49.74% 49.41%

Gillette:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Dickinson:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Guy M. Gillette Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Guy M. Gillette Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in Kansas

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Clyde M. Reed George McGill Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 419,532 326,774 Percentage 56.21% 43.78%

County results Reed:     50–60%     60–70% McGill:     50–60%

U.S. senator before election George McGill Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Clyde M. Reed Republican

This is the last time that a Senator from Kansas lost re-election. Republicans have not lost a Senate election in the state since.

1938 United States Senate election in Kentucky

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Alben W. Barkley John P. Haswell Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 346,735 212,266 Percentage 62.03% 37.97%

County results Barkley:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Haswell:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

U.S. senator before election Alben W. Barkley Democratic Elected U.S. senator Alben W. Barkley Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in Maryland

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Millard Tydings Oscar Leser Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 357,245 153,253 Percentage 68.28% 29.29%

County results Tydings:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election Millard Tydings Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Millard Tydings Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in Missouri

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Bennett Champ Clark Henry S. Caulfield Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 757,587 488,687 Percentage 60.69% 39.15%

County results Clark:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Caulfield:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election Bennett Champ Clark Democratic Elected U.S. senator Bennett Champ Clark Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in Nevada

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Pat McCarran Tasker Oddie Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 27,406 19,078 Percentage 58.96% 41.04%

County results McCarran:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Oddie:     50–60%

U.S. senator before election Pat McCarran Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Pat McCarran Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Charles W. Tobey Fred H. Brown Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 100,633 84,920 Percentage 54.23% 45.77%

County results Tobey:     50-60%     60-70% Brown:     50–60%

Senator before election Fred H. Brown Democratic Elected Senator Charles W. Tobey Republican

1938 United States Senate election in New Jersey

← 1934 November 8, 1938 1940 →

Nominee William Warren Barbour William H. J. Ely Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 816,667 704,159 Percentage 52.98% 45.68%

County results Barbour:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Ely:     50–60%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election John Gerald Milton Democratic Elected U.S. senator W. Warren Barbour Republican

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

1938 United States Senate election in New York

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Robert F. Wagner John Lord O'Brian Party Democratic Republican Alliance American Labor Independent Progressive Popular vote 2,497,029 2,058,615 Percentage 54.48% 44.92%

County Results Wagner:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% O'Brian:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Senator before election Robert F. Wagner Democratic Elected Senator Robert F. Wagner Democratic

New York Republicans nominatedJohn Lord O'Brian for the U.S. Senate.^[10] Democrats re-nominated the incumbent Wagner.^[11] TheAmerican Labor Party endorsed Wagner.^[12]

1938 United States Senate special election in New York

← 1934 November 8, 1938 1940 →

Nominee James M. Mead Edward F. Corsi Party Democratic Republican Alliance American Labor Party Ind. Progressive Popular vote 2,438,904 2,083,666 Percentage 53.93% 46.08%

Mead:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80% Corsi:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%

U.S. senator before election Vacant Elected U.S. Senator James M. Mead Democratic

New York Republicans nominated Edward Corsi for the short term to fill the vacancy caused by the death ofRoyal S. Copeland.^[10] Democrats nominatedJames M. Mead.^[11] TheAmerican Labor party endorsed Mead.^[12]

1938 United States Senate election in North Carolina

← 1932 November 7, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Robert R. Reynolds Charles A. Jonas Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 316,685 179,461 Percentage 63.83% 36.17%

Results by county Reynolds:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Jonas:     50–60%     60–70%

Senator before election Robert Rice Reynolds Democratic Elected Senator Robert Rice Reynolds Democratic

1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Gerald Nye William Langer J. J. Nygaard Party Republican Independent Democratic Popular vote 131,907 65,612 19,244 Percentage 50.12% 42.56% 7.31%

County results Nye:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70% Langer:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%

U.S. senator before election Gerald Nye Republican Elected U.S. Senator Gerald Nye Republican

1938 United States Senate election in Ohio

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Robert A. Taft Robert J. Bulkley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,255,414 1,085,792 Percentage 53.62% 46.38%

County results Taft:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Bulkley:     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Robert J. Bulkley Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Robert A. Taft Republican

1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Elmer Thomas Harry O. Glasser Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 307,936 159,734 Percentage 65.37% 33.91%

County results Thomas:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Glasser:     40–50%     50–60%

U.S. senator before election Elmer Thomas Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Elmer Thomas Democratic

There were 2 elections for the same seat, due to the January 31, 1938, resignation of two-term RepublicanFrederick Steiwer. Democratic businessmanAlfred E. Reames was appointed February 1, 1938, to continue the term, pending a special election, but he did not run in either the special or the general elections.

1938 United States Senate special election in Oregon

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1938 (regular) →

Nominee Alexander G. Barry Robert A. Miller Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 180,815 152,773 Percentage 54.20% 45.80%

County results Barry:     50-60%     60-70% Miller:     50-60%

U.S. senator before election Alfred E. Reames Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Alexander G. Barry Republican

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

1938 United States Senate election in Oregon

← 1938 (special) November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Rufus C. Holman Willis Mahoney Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 203,120 167,135 Percentage 54.86% 45.14%

County results Holman:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80% Mahoney:     50-60%

U.S. senator before election Alfred Reames Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Rufus C. Holman Republican

1938 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee James J. Davis George Howard Earle III Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,086,931 1,694,367 Percentage 54.70% 44.41%

County Results: Davis:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80% Earle:     50-60%

U.S. senator before election James J. Davis Republican Elected U.S. Senator James J. Davis Republican