1948 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

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1948 United States Senate election in Oklahoma
Flag of Oklahoma (1941-1988).svg
  1942 November 2, 1948 1954  
  Robert S. Kerr (OK).png Ross Rizley.jpg
Nominee Robert S. Kerr Ross Rizley
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote441,654265,169
Percentage62.30%37.40%

1948 United States Senate election in Oklahoma results map by county.svg
County results
Kerr:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Rizley:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Edward H. Moore
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Robert S. Kerr
Democratic

The 1948 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 2, 1948. Incumbent Republican Senator Edward H. Moore declined to run for re-election. A crowded Democratic primary, including the former Governor, multiple members of Congress, and several statewide elected officials, developed; former Governor Robert S. Kerr won a slim plurality in the initial primary and then defeated former Congressman Gomer Smith by a wide margin in the runoff. On the Republican side, Congressman Ross Rizley had an easy path to the nomination. Kerr defeated Rizley in a landslide, largely similar to President Harry S. Truman's landslide victory in Oklahoma over Republican presidential nominee Thomas E. Dewey.

Contents

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert S. Kerr 135,878 37.41%
Democratic Gomer Smith73,51120.24%
Democratic Mac Q. Williamson48,67013.40%
Democratic O. J. Fox35,8179.86%
Democratic Glen D. Johnson24,5136.75%
Democratic Wilburn Cartwright19,1535.27%
Democratic James E. Berry17,2014.74%
Democratic Fletcher Riley3,7211.02%
Democratic C. A. Gentry2,7380.75%
Democratic L. G. Burt2,0220.56%
Total votes363,224 100.00%

Runoff election results

Democratic primary runoff [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert S. Kerr 168,861 57.56%
Democratic Gomer Smith124,51942.44%
Total votes293,380 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ross Rizley 29,659 68.42%
Republican Henry J. Wallace3,4297.91%
Republican Frank A. Anderson3,1197.20%
Republican Homer Cowan2,9856.89%
Republican Joseph Holt2,3075.32%
Republican Rexford B. Cragg1,8504.27%
Total votes43,349 100.00%

General election

Results

1948 United States Senate election in Oklahoma [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Robert S. Kerr 441,654 62.30% +17.54%
Republican Ross Rizley 265,16937.40%−17.42%
Independent W. O. Pratt2,1080.30%
Majority176,48524.89%+14.82%
Turnout 708,931
Democratic gain from Republican

References

  1. 1 2 "Williaimson, O. J. Fox in Senate Race". Frederick Leader. Frederick, Okla. May 1, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "1946-1950 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 17, 2021.