1938 United States Senate elections

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

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.

Defeats

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.

Death

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

Post-election changes

Change in composition

Before the elections

Result of the elections

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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.

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.

Closest races

Thirteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

There is no tipping point state.

Alabama

Main article: 1938 United States Senate election 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)

Hill:
Heflin:

After congressman J. 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.

Alabama (regular)

Hill:
Heflin:

Arizona

Hayden:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Arizona

Incumbent Democrat Carl 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.

Arkansas

Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Arkansas

Caraway:

California

Townsend Downey:
Bancroft:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in California

Colorado

Adams:
Lee:

Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Colorado

Connecticut

|County results |220px |Municipality results}} Lonergan:
Trombley:
Tie: Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Connecticut

Florida

Pepper:

Georgia

George:
Talmadge:
Camp:

Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Georgia

Idaho

Clark:
Callahan:

Illinois

Lucas:
Lyons:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Illinois

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

Indiana

Van Nuys:
Willis:

Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Indiana

Iowa

Dickinson:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Iowa

Kansas

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

Kentucky

Barkley:
Haswell:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Tydings:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Maryland

Missouri

Clark:
Caulfield:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Missouri

Nevada

McCarran:
Oddie:

New Hampshire

Tobey:
Brown: Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

New Jersey (special)

Barbour:
Ely:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate special election in New Jersey

New York

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

New York (regular)

Wagner:
O'Brian:

Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in New York

New York Republicans nominated John Lord O'Brian for the U.S. Senate. Democrats re-nominated the incumbent Wagner. The American Labor Party endorsed Wagner.

New York (special)

Corsi:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate special election in New York

New York Republicans nominated Edward Corsi for the short term to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Royal S. Copeland. Democrats nominated James M. Mead. The American Labor party endorsed Mead.

North Carolina

Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in North Carolina

Reynolds:
Jonas:

North Dakota

Nye:
Langer:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota

Ohio

Taft:
Bulkley:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Ohio

Oklahoma

Thomas:
Glasser:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

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 1, 1938, to continue the term, pending a special election, but he did not run in either the special or the general elections.

Oregon (special)

Barry:

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

Oregon (regular)

Holman:

Mahoney:

Pennsylvania

Davis:
Earle: Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Smith:
Johnston:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in South Carolina

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)

Pyle:
McCullen: Tie: No Vote: Main article: 1938 United States Senate elections in South Dakota

South Dakota (regular)

Gurney:
Berry:
No Vote: Main article: 1938 United States Senate elections in South Dakota

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

Tennessee (special)

Utah

Thomas:
Harris:

Vermont

Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Vermont

Washington

Bone:
Colvin: Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Washington

Wisconsin

Wiley:
Ekern: Duffy:
Main article: 1938 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

Notes

References

References

1. "1939 Britannica Book of the Year, "Democratic Party"".
2. (1994). "LIFE". Time Inc.
3. Murphy, Paul. (1974). "Political Parties In American History, Volume 3, 1890-present". [[G. P. Putnam's Sons]].
4. "Our Campaigns - AL US Senate - Special D Primary Race - Jan 04, 1938".
5. "Our Campaigns - AL US Senate - Special Election Race - Apr 26, 1938".
6. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1938".
7. "Our Campaigns - AL US Senate Race - Nov 08, 1938".
8. "Our Campaigns - AZ US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 13, 1938".
9. "Our Campaigns - AZ US Senate Race - Nov 08, 1938".
10. 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".
11. Warren Moscow. (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".
12. 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".
13. "NY US Senate". Our Campaigns.
14. "Our Campaigns - SD US Senate - D Primary Race - May 03, 1938".
15. "Our Campaigns - SD US Senate - R Primary Race - May 03, 1938".