1938 United States Senate election in California
|
|
| |  |  | | Nominee | Sheridan Downey | Philip Bancroft | | | Party | Democratic | Republican | | Alliance | Progressive
Townsend | | | Popular vote | 1,372,314 | 1,126,240 | | Percentage | 54.43% | 44.67% | |
 County results
Downey: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70%
Bancroft: 40–50% 50–60% 70–80% |
U.S. senator before election
William Gibbs McAdoo
Democratic | Elected U.S. Senator
Sheridan Downey
Democratic | |
| Elections in California |
|---|
 |
| |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2000–2009 |
|---|
- 2000
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2008
- 2009
|
| | | | | | Full list | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
The 1938 United States Senate election in California was held on November 2, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator William Gibbs McAdoo ran for a second term, but was defeated by Sheridan Downey in the Democratic primary. Downey went on to defeat Philip Bancroft in the general election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Campaign
Senator McAdoo had the support of President Franklin Roosevelt and George Creel.
Downey was supported by his 1934 running mate Upton Sinclair and pensioner advocate Francis Townsend.
Results
1938 Democratic Senate primary[1] | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sheridan Downey | 511,952 | 46.05% |
| | Democratic | William Gibbs McAdoo (incumbent) | 375,930 | 33.82% |
| | Republican | Ray Riley (cross-filing) | 103,748 | 9.33% |
| | Democratic | John W. Preston | 95,547 | 8.60% |
| | Democratic | James W. Mellen | 24,467 | 2.20% |
| Total votes | 1,111,644 | 100.00% |
Republican primary
Candidates
- Philip Bancroft, founding member of the Bull Moose Party
- Ray Riley, State Controller since 1921
- Louise Ward Watkins, community activist from Pasadena
Results
Although he did not cross-file to appear on the ballot, Sheridan Downey did receive write-in votes.
1938 Republican Senate primary[2] | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Philip Bancroft | 295,751 | 44.86% |
| | Republican | Ray L. Riley | 292,940 | 44.43% |
| | Republican | Louise Ward Watkins | 54,248 | 8.23% |
| | Democratic | Sheridan Downey (write-in) | 16,360 | 2.48% |
| Total votes | 659,299 | 100.00% |
Progressive primary
Candidates
- Paul H. Bruns
- Sheridan Downey, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 (cross-filing)
- Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)
Results
1938 Progressive Senate primary[3] | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) | 4,507 | 64.04% |
| | Republican | Ray L. Riley (cross-filing) | 1,552 | 22.05% |
| | Progressive | Paul H. Bruns | 939 | 13.91% |
| Total votes | 659,299 | 100.00% |
Townsend Party primary
Candidates
- Sheridan Downey, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 (cross-filing)
- Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)
Results
1938 Townsendite Party Senate primary[4] | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) | 14,132 | 91.39% |
| | Republican | Ray L. Riley (cross-filing) | 7,038 | 8.61% |
| Total votes | 15,463 | 100.00% |
General election
Results
1938 United States Senate election in California[5] | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sheridan Downey | 1,372,314 | 54.43% |
| | Republican | Philip Bancroft | 1,126,240 | 44.67% |
| | Socialist | Lillian S. Clemente | 22,569 | 0.90% |
| Total votes | 2,521,123 | 100.00% |
See also
References
- ^ "CA US Senate – D Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "CA US Senate – R Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "CA US Senate – PRG Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "CA US Senate – Town Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "CA US Senate, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
|
|---|
U.S.
Senate | |
|---|
U.S.
House | |
|---|
State
governors | |
|---|
State
legislatures | |
|---|
| Mayors | |
|---|
