1938 United States Senate election in Colorado

1938 United States Senate election in Colorado

←  1932 November 8, 1938 1942 (special)  →

Nominee Alva B. Adams Archibald A. Lee Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 262,806 181,297 Percentage 58.24% 40.18%

Results by county Adams:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Lee:      40–50%     50–60%

U.S. senator before election Alva B. Adams Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Alva B. Adams Democratic

The 1938 United States Senate election in Colorado took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator Alva B. Adams ran for re-election to a second term. Adams faced Denver attorney Archibald A. Lee, the Republican nominee, in the general election. Despite the nationwide Republican landslide, including Republicans' landslide victory in the gubernatorial election that year, Adams's popularity translated into an easy re-election campaign. Adams ended up defeating Lee with 58% of the vote. However, Adams did not end up fully serving his second term; he died on December 1, 1941.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Alva B. Adams, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Benjamin C. Hilliard, Colorado Supreme Court Justice, former U.S. Congressman

Campaign

Early speculation swirled that State Supreme Court Justice Benjamin C. Hilliard would challenge Senator Alva B. Adams in the Democratic primary over Adams's tepid support for the New Deal. ^[1] Hilliard allowed his name to be placed into nomination at the state Democratic convention, but he failed to receive enough votes to be placed on the primary ballot. ^[2] As a result, Adams was nominated unopposed in the primary.

Results

Democratic primary results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Alva B. Adams (inc.)	92,006	100.00
Total votes			92,006	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Archibald A. Lee, Denver attorney

Campaign

Despite the nationwide trend in favor of Republicans, few were interested in challenging Senator Adams for re-election. In the leadup to the Republican convention, attorneys Archibald A. Lee and John R. Coen were discussed as possibilities, ^[4] but in the end, only Lee opted to run. He was nominated at the convention unopposed and was uncontested in the primary election. ^[5]

Results

Republican primary results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Archibald A. Lee	57,410	100.00
Total votes			57,410	100.00

General election

Results

1938 United States Senate election in Colorado ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Alva B. Adams (inc.)	262,806	58.24%	+6.33%
	Republican	Archibald A. Lee	181,297	40.18%	−5.32%
	Socialist	Carle Whitehead	3,604	0.80%	−1.18%
	Independent Progressive	James Allander	3,522	0.78%	—
Majority			81,509	18.06%	+11.65%
Turnout			451,229
	Democratic hold

References

1. Kimball, Neil West (June 15, 1938). "Capitol Comment". Craig Empire Courier. Craig, Colorado. p. 3. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
2. "Ammons and Adams Have No Opposition". Eagle Valley Enterprise. Eagle, Colorado. July 29, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
3. Saunders, George E. (1938). State of Colorado Abstract of Votes Cast at the Primary Election Held on the Thirteenth Day of September, A. D. 1938 and at the General Election Held on the Eighth Day of November, A. D. 1938 (PDF). Denver, Colorado: Colorado Secretary of State.
4. Kimball, Neil West (June 30, 1938). "Capitol Comment". Colorado Transcript. Golden, Colorado. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
5. "Republicans Named a Full State Ticket at State Assembly". Wray Rattler. Wray, Colorado. August 11, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.