1938 Idaho gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1938 United States gubernatorial elections.

1938 Idaho gubernatorial election

←  1936 November 8, 1938 1940  →

Nominee C. A. Bottolfsen C. Ben Ross Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 106,268 77,697 Percentage 57.30% 41.89%

County results Bottolfsen:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Ross:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Barzilla Clark Democratic Elected Governor C. A. Bottolfsen Republican

The 1938 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 8. Incumbent Democratic governor Barzilla Clark ran for re-election, but was defeated in the August primary by former three-term governor C. Ben Ross. The general election was won by Republican nominee C. A. Bottolfsen, who received 57.30% of the vote. ^[1]

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 9, 1938. ^{[2] [3]}

Democratic primary

Candidates

• C. Ben Ross, Parma, former governor (three terms)
• Barzilla Clark, Idaho Falls, incumbent governor
• Charles Gossett, Nampa, lieutenant governor
• W. P. Whitaker, Pocatello

Republican primary

Candidates

• C. A. Bottolfsen, Arco newspaper publisher
• R. H. Young, Parma farmer

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• C. A. Bottolfsen, Republican
• C. Ben Ross, Democratic

Other candidates

• R. B. Wilson, Independent

Results

1938 Idaho gubernatorial election ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	C. A. Bottolfsen	106,268	57.30%
	Democratic	C. Ben Ross	77,697	41.89%
	Independent	R. B. Wilson	1,494	0.81%
Majority			28,571
Turnout
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

References

1. "Democrat rule rudely shaken". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. November 10, 1938. p. 1.
2. "Clark forges to front in Idaho Senate primary". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. August 10, 1938. p. 1.
3. "Loyal New Deal senator loses Idaho primary race". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. August 11, 1938. p. 1.
4. Cook, Rhodes (November 5, 2013). America Votes 30: 2011-2012, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. CQ Press. ISBN   9781452290171 . Retrieved May 8, 2020.