1932 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

1932 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

←  1926 November 8, 1932 1938  →

Nominee Elmer Thomas Wirt Franklin Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 426,130 218,854 Percentage 65.51% 33.70%

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

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

The 1932 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 8, 1932. Incumbent Democratic senator Elmer Thomas ran for re-election to a second term. Thomas faced a crowded path to renomination, and only won the Democratic primary following a runoff election with attorney Gomer Smith. On the Republican side, oil magnate Wirt Franklin similarly won the Republican nomination in a runoff election. Thomas overwhelmingly defeated Franklin to win re-election, aided by Democratic presidential nominee Franklin D. Roosevelt's landslide win in Oklahoma over Republican president Herbert Hoover.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Elmer Thomas, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Gomer Smith, attorney ^[1]
• R. M. McCool, Chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party ^[2]
• Albert C. Hunt, former Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice ^[3]
• Lee Wade, Duncan contractor ^[4]
• Moses E. Harris
• D. O. Witmer, Cardin salesman, druggist ^[5]

Results

Democratic primary ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas (inc.)	145,452	42.07%
	Democratic	Gomer Smith	76,249	22.06%
	Democratic	R. M. McCool	54,934	15.89%
	Democratic	Albert C. Hunt	31,440	9.09%
	Democratic	Lee Wade	18,050	5.22%
	Democratic	Moses E. Harris	12,977	3.75%
	Democratic	D. O. Witmer	6,618	1.91%
Total votes			345,720	100.00%

Runoff election results

Democratic primary runoff ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas (inc.)	251,248	60.86%
	Democratic	Gomer Smith	161,594	39.14%
Total votes			412,842	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Wirt Franklin, oil producer ^[7]
• James A. Harris, former chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party ^[8]
• Ulysses S. Stone, former U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district ^[8]
• R. F. Bingham
• Rexford B. Cragg

Results

Republican primary ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Wirt Franklin	30,586	40.96%
	Republican	James A. Harris	17,298	23.17%
	Republican	Ulysses S. Stone	15,427	20.66%
	Republican	R. F. Bingham	6,349	8.50%
	Republican	Rexford B. Cragg	5,006	6.70%
Total votes			74,666	100.00%

Runoff election results

Republican primary runoff ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Wirt Franklin	42,090	59.04%
	Republican	James A. Harris	29,195	40.96%
Total votes			71,285	100.00%

General election

Results

1932 United States Senate election in Oklahoma ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas (inc.)	426,130	65.51%	+10.83%
	Republican	Wirt Franklin	218,854	33.70%	−10.98%
	Farmer–Labor	James I. Whidden	1,395	0.21%	−0.01%
	Independent	J. W. Houchin	1,245	0.19%	—
	Independent	John Franing	1,061	0.16%	—
	Independent	Thomas P. Hopley	819	0.13%	—
Majority			207,276	31.91%	+21.81%
Turnout			649,504
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Alignments of Democrats Are Assuming Form". Cushing Daily Citizen. Cushing, Okla. January 21, 1932. p. 5. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
2. "Will Run Again". Pawnee Courier-Dispatch. Pawnee, Okla. January 7, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
3. "Hunt May Try Senate Race". Miami News-Record. Miami, Okla. April 20, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
4. "Duncan Man Will Oppose Thomas in Race for Senate". Cotton County News. Devol, Okla. March 3, 1932. p. 5. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
5. "1932 Campaign in State is Opened: Filing Period Open For State Offices". Mangum Daily Star. Mangum, Okla. March 28, 1932. p. 4. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
6. "1928-1932 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
7. "Oil Man Enters Race for Senate". Okmulgee Daily Times. Okmulgee, Okla. April 26, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
8. "Mabel Bassett Leads Field in Congress Race". Henryetta Daily Free-Lance. Henryetta, Okla. July 7, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.