1938 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

1938 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

←  1932 November 8, 1938 1944  →

Nominee Charles W. Tobey Fred H. Brown Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 100,633 84,920 Percentage 54.23% 45.77%

County results Tobey:     50-60%     60-70% Brown:     50–60%

Senator before election Fred H. Brown Democratic Elected Senator Charles W. Tobey Republican

The 1938 United States Senate election in New Hampshire took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator Fred H. Brown ran for re-election to a second term but was defeated by Republican U.S. Representative and former governor Charles W. Tobey.

Background

Fred H. Brown was elected to the United States Senate in 1932 by narrowly unseating incumbent Republican George H. Moses. As Senator, Brown was an ardent and active support of the New Deal programs of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, serving on the Joint Committee on the Tennessee Valley Authority and voting to confirm Hugo Black to the United States Supreme Court. ^{[1] [2]}

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Fred H. Brown, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1933

Senator Brown did not face an opponent for renomination. ^[3]

Republican primary

Candidates

• Charles W. Carroll, mayor of Laconia ^[4]
• Eliot A. Carter ^[4] , former State Senator from Nashua
• Charles W. Tobey, U.S. Representative from Manchester and former governor

Campaign

Tobey announced his campaign on April 12, joining a field which already included Laconia mayor Charles W. Carroll and Eliot A. Carter. ^[4]

General election

Candidates

• Fred H. Brown, incumbent Senator since 1933 (Democratic)
• Charles W. Tobey, U.S. Representative from Manchester and former governor (Republican)

Campaign

During the campaign, Tobey accused Brown of being a "Roosevelt yes-man", and Brown defended his support of the New Deal as in "the best interests" of New Hampshire. ^[5]

As the campaign came to a close, both parties focused on Concord and the industrial cities of Manchester and Nashua. ^[5]

Results

1938 U.S. Senate election in New Hampshire ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Charles W. Tobey	100,633	54.23%	4.96
	Democratic	Fred H. Brown (incumbent)	84,920	45.77%	4.58
Total votes			217,057	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing

Following Brown's defeat and departure from office, President Roosevelt appointed him as the 2nd Comptroller General of the United States.

References

1. Dery, J. Leo (November 4, 1938). "Lack Of Republican Harmony Encourages Democrats In Close New Hampshire Fight" . Telegraph-Forum. Central Press. p. 2. Retrieved March 14, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
2. Hennessy, M.E. (April 11, 1938). "Brown, Bridges May Clash Due to T.V.A. Inquiry Report" . The Boston Globe. p. 18. Retrieved March 14, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
3. "No Opponent Seen For Sen. Brown". The North Adams Transcript. Associated Press. July 29, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved March 14, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
4. "TOBEY TO RUN FOR SENATE; Will Seek Republican Nomination In New Hampshire". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 13, 1938. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
5. "NEW HAMPSHIRE IN DOUBT; Parties Concentrate at Close in the Industrial Cities". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 8, 1938. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
6. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (1939-01-11). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 8, 1938" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.