1938 United States Senate election in California

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1938 United States Senate election in California
Flag of California (1924-1953).png
  1932 November 8, 1938 1944  
  Washington, D.C., November 21, 1939 - A new informal photograph of Senator Sheridan Downey of California LCCN2016876632 (cropped).tif Philip Bancroft.jpg
Nominee Sheridan Downey Philip Bancroft
Party Democratic Republican
Alliance Progressive
Townsend
Popular vote1,372,3141,126,240
Percentage54.43%44.67%

1938 United States Senate Election in California by County.svg
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.

Contents

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]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Sheridan Downey 511,952 46.05%
Democratic William Gibbs McAdoo (incumbent)375,93033.82%
Republican Ray Riley (cross-filing)103,7489.33%
Democratic John W. Preston95,5478.60%
Democratic James W. Mellen24,4672.20%
Total votes1,111,644 100.00%

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]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Philip Bancroft 295,751 44.86%
Republican Ray L. Riley292,94044.43%
Republican Louise Ward Watkins54,2488.23%
Democratic Sheridan Downey (write-in)16,3602.48%
Total votes659,299 100.00%

Progressive primary

Candidates

Results

1938 Progressive Senate primary [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) 4,507 64.04%
Republican Ray L. Riley (cross-filing)1,55222.05%
Progressive Paul H. Bruns93913.91%
Total votes659,299 100.00%

Townsend Party primary

Candidates

Results

1938 Townsendite Party Senate primary [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) 14,132 91.39%
Republican Ray L. Riley (cross-filing)7,0388.61%
Total votes15,463 100.00%

General election

Results

1938 United States Senate election in California [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Sheridan Downey 1,372,314 54.43%
Republican Philip Bancroft1,126,24044.67%
Socialist Lillian S. Clemente22,5690.90%
Total votes2,521,123 100.00%

See also

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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.