1940 United States Senate election in North Dakota

1940 United States Senate election in North Dakota

←  1934 1946  →

Nominee William Langer William Lemke Charles J. Vogel Party Republican Independent Democratic Popular vote 100,647 92,593 69,847 Percentage 38.11% 35.06% 26.45%

County results Langer:      30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Lemke:      30–40%     40–50% Vogel:      30–40%     40–50%

U.S. senator before election Lynn Frazier Republican Elected U.S. Senator William Langer Republican

The 1940 United States Senate election in North Dakota took place on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Republican Senator Lynn Frazier, who was first elected in 1922, ran for re-election to a fourth term. However, he was defeated in the Republican primary by former Governor William Langer. In the general election, Langer faced Democratic nominee Charles J. Vogel, an attorney, and Congressman William Lemke, who was running as an independent. In a close race, Langer narrowly defeated Lemke with a 38% plurality and won his first term in the Senate.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Charles J. Vogel, Fargo attorney
• E. A. Johansson

Results

Democratic primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Charles J. Vogel	21,359	67.36%
	Democratic	E. A. Johansson	10,352	32.64%
Total votes			31,711	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• William Langer, former Governor of North Dakota
• Lynn Frazier, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Thomas E. Whelan, State Senator ^[2]

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Langer	61,538	40.42%
	Republican	Lynn Frazier (inc.)	48,441	31.82%
	Republican	Thomas E. Whelan	42,271	27.76%
Total votes			152,250	100.00%

General election

Results

1940 United States Senate election in North Dakota ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	William Langer	100,647	38.11%	−20.13%
	Independent	William Lemke	92,593	35.06%	—
	Democratic	Charles J. Vogel	69,847	26.45%	−13.80%
	Independent	Jasper Haaland	1,1014	0.38%	—
Majority			8,054	3.05%	−14.95%
Turnout			259,607
	Republican hold

References

1. "Primary Election - June 25, 1940" (PDF). North Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
2. "Few GOP Delegates Instructed". Grand Forks Herald . Grand Forks, North Dakota. March 20, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
3. "General Election - November 5, 1940" (PDF). North Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 20, 2024.