1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota

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1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota
Flag of North Dakota.svg
  1932 November 8, 1938 1944  
  Senator G.P. Nye of N.D., (12-1-25) LCCN2016841488 (3x4a).jpg William Langer (3x4 cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Gerald Nye William Langer J. J. Nygaard
Party Republican Independent Democratic
Popular vote131,907112,00719,244
Percentage50.12%42.56%7.31%

1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota results map by county.svg
County results
Nye:      40-50%     50-60%     60-70%
Langer:      40-50%     50-60%     60-70%

U.S. senator before election

Gerald Nye
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Gerald Nye
Republican

The 1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Republican Senator Gerald Nye ran for re-election to his third term. He faced a strong challenge in the Republican primary from colorful Governor William Langer, but narrowly won renomination. Langer subsequently ran as an independent against Nye in the general election, and won the endorsement of the Nonpartisan League. [1] The contest effectively sidelined Democratic nominee J. J. Nygaard, [2] and the contest between Nye and Langer devolved into sharp disagreements about the United States's foreign affairs. [1] Nye ultimately defeated Langer by a wide margin—winning 50% of the vote to Langer's 43%—but significantly reduced from his 1932 and 1926 landslides.

Contents

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic J. J. Nygaard 27,981 72.00%
Democratic Halvor L. Halvorson8,33521.45%
Democratic B. A. Johansson2,5456.55%
Total votes38,861 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Gerald Nye (inc.) 91,510 51.45%
Republican William Langer86,35948.55%
Total votes177,869 100.00%

General election

Results

1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Gerald Nye (inc.) 131,907 50.12% −22.18%
Independent William Langer 112,00742.56%
Democratic J. J. Nygaard19,2447.31%−20.14%
Majority19,9007.56%−37.29%
Turnout 263,158
Republican hold

References

  1. 1 2 "Langer Announces Independent Race for U.S. Senator". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. September 29, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  2. "Watching the Political Parade". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. October 26, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Primary Election 06-28-1938" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  4. "General Election 11-08-1938" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.