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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

The 1938 United States Senate election in California was held on November 2, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator William Gibbs McAdoo ran for a second term, but was defeated by Sheridan Downey in the Democratic primary. Downey went on to defeat Philip Bancroft in the general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

Senator McAdoo had the support of President Franklin Roosevelt and George Creel.

Downey was supported by his 1932 running mate Upton Sinclair and pensioner advocate Francis Townsend.

Results

1938 Democratic Senate primary [1]
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%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Although he did not cross-file to appear on the ballot, Sheridan Downey did receive write-in votes.

1938 Republican Senate primary [2]
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%

Progressive primary

Candidates

  • Paul H. Bruns
  • Sheridan Downey, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 (cross-filing)
  • Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)

Results

1938 Progressive Senate primary [3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) 4,507 64.04%
Republican Ray L. Riley (cross-filing) 1,552 22.05%
Progressive Paul H. Bruns 939 13.91%
Total votes 659,299 100.00%

Townsend Party primary

Candidates

  • Sheridan Downey, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 (cross-filing)
  • Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)

Results

1938 Townsendite Party Senate primary [4]
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%

General election

Results

1938 United States Senate election in California [5]
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%

See also

References

  1. ^ "CA US Senate – D Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "CA US Senate – R Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "CA US Senate – PRG Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "CA US Senate – Town Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "CA US Senate, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.