1938 United States Senate election in Kansas

1938 United States Senate election in Kansas

←  1932 November 8, 1938 1944  →

Nominee Clyde M. Reed George McGill Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 419,532 326,774 Percentage 56.21% 43.78%

County results Reed:     50–60%     60–70% McGill:     50–60%

U.S. senator before election George McGill Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Clyde M. Reed Republican

The 1938 United States Senate election in Kansas was held on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator George McGill ran for re-election to his second full term. Former Governor Clyde M. Reed won the Republican nomination to face McGill in a crowded field and ended up defeating him in a landslide, winning 56% of the vote in a year of nationwide Republican gains.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• George McGill, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Joe Dohner, Peabody farmer ^[1]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	George McGill	117,500	85.73%
	Democratic	Joe Dohner	19,554	14.27%
Total votes			137,054	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Clyde M. Reed, former Governor of Kansas
• Dallas W. Knapp, former State Senator ^[3]
• Gerald B. Winrod, evangelist and Christian Identity promoter
• Jesse Clyde Fisher, Methodist minister and former Augusta City Councilman ^[4]

Results

Republican primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Clyde M. Reed	104,918	42.28%
	Republican	Dallas W. Knapp	64,068	25.82%
	Republican	Gerald B. Winrod	53,149	21.42%
	Republican	Jesse Clyde Fisher	26,034	10.49%
Total votes			248,169	100.00%

General election

Results

1938 United States Senate election in Kansas ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Clyde M. Reed	419,532	56.21%	+14.17%
	Democratic	George McGill (inc.)	326,774	43.78%	−1.89%
	Write-in	Joe Corpstein	99	0.01%	—
Majority			92,758	12.43%	+8.79%
Total votes			746,405	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic

See also

• 1938 United States Senate elections

References

1. "All Candidates Ready for Race". The Manhattan Mercury . Manhattan, Kansas. June 20, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
2. Ryan, Frank J. (1938). Thirty-First Biennial Report of the Secretary of State 1937-1938. Topeka, Kansas: Kansas State Printing Plant. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
3. "Dallas Knapp to Run for Senator". Emporia Gazette . Emporia, Kansas. April 8, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
4. "Methodist Pastor to Run for Senate". The Wichita Eagle . Wichita, Kansas. February 12, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved March 3, 2025.