Senate
United States elections · 1938 · held
State Senate races in this midterm cycle, with separate candidate results and election-era ideology attribution.
State races and results map
Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.
Alabama — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Lister Hill | Democratic | 113413 | 86.38% | Elected |
| J. M. Pennington | Republican | 17885 | 13.62% | — |
| Scattering | None | 1 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y J. Lister Hill (Democratic) 86.4%
▌J. M. Pennington (Republican) 13.6%
Sources & further reading
Alabama — Senate (Class 3) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Lister Hill | Democratic | 113413 | 86.38% | Elected |
| J. M. Pennington | Republican | 17885 | 13.62% | — |
| Scattering | None | 1 | 0.00% | — |
Interim appointee elected April 26, 1938. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y J. Lister Hill (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Arizona — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Hayden | Democratic | — | 76.50% | Elected |
| B. H. Clingan | Republican | — | 23.50% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Carl Hayden (Democratic) 76.5%
▌B. H. Clingan (Republican) 23.5%
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hattie Caraway | Democratic | — | 89.60% | Elected |
| C. D. Atkinson | Republican | — | 10.40% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Hattie Caraway (Democratic) 89.6%
▌C. D. Atkinson (Republican) 10.4%
Sources & further reading
California — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan Downey | Democratic | 1372314 | 54.41% | Elected |
| Philip Bancroft | Republican | 1126240 | 44.65% | — |
| Lillian Symes Clements | Socialist | 22569 | 0.89% | — |
| Scattering | None | 1019 | 0.04% | — |
Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Incumbent then resigned and Thomas M. Storke (D) was appointed to finish the term. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Sheridan Downey (Democratic) 54.4%
▌Philip Bancroft (Republican) 44.7%
▌Lillain Symes Clements (Socialist) 0.9%
Sources & further reading
Colorado — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alva B. Adams | Democratic | 262786 | 58.24% | Elected |
| Archibald A. Lee | Republican | 181297 | 40.18% | — |
| Carle Whitehead | Socialist | 3604 | 0.80% | — |
| James Allander | Independent Progressive | 3522 | 0.78% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Alva B. Adams (Democratic) 58.2%
▌Archibald A. Lee (Republican) 40.2%
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John A. Danaher | Republican | 270413 | 42.89% | Elected |
| Augustine Lonergan | Democratic | 252426 | 40.04% | — |
| Bellani Trombley | Socialist | 99282 | 15.75% | — |
| Joseph Mackey | Socialist Labor | 6931 | 1.10% | — |
| Philip Brainard | American Labor | 766 | 0.12% | — |
| Michael A. Russo | Communist | 615 | 0.10% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John A. Danaher (Republican) 42.9%
▌Augustine Lonergan (Democratic) 40.0%
▌Bellani Trombley (Socialist) 15.8%
Sources & further reading
Florida — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Pepper | Democratic | 145757 | 82.45% | Elected |
| Thomas E. Swanson | Republican | 31035 | 17.55% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Claude Pepper (Democratic) 82.5%
▌Thomas E. Swanson (Republican) 17.6%
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walter F. George | Democratic | 66987 | 95.09% | Elected |
| Charles A. Jiles | Independent | 3442 | 4.89% | — |
| Eugene Talmadge | Independent | 14 | 0.02% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Walter F. George (Democratic) 95.1%
▌Charles A. Jiles (Independent) 4.9%
Sources & further reading
Idaho — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Worth Clark | Democratic | — | 54.70% | Elected |
| Donald A. Callahan | Republican | — | 44.90% | — |
Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y D. Worth Clark (Democratic) 54.7%
▌Donald A. Callahan (Republican) 44.9%
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott W. Lucas | Democratic | 1638162 | 51.32% | Elected |
| Richard J. Lyons | Republican | 1542574 | 48.33% | — |
| Enoch A. Holtwick | Prohibition | 10707 | 0.34% | — |
| Scattering | None | 569 | 0.02% | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Scott W. Lucas (Democratic) 51.3%
▌Richard J. Lyons (Republican) 48.3%
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick Van Nuys | Democratic | 788386 | 49.85% | Elected |
| Raymond E. Willis | Republican | 783189 | 49.52% | — |
| Herman L. Seeger | Prohibition | 6905 | 0.44% | — |
| Louis E. Roebuck | Socialist | 2026 | 0.13% | — |
| Miles Blansett | Communist | 984 | 0.06% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Frederick Van Nuys (Democratic) 49.8%
▌Raymond E. Willis (Republican) 49.5%
Others
▌Herman L. Seeger (Prohibition) 0.4%
▌Louis E. Roebuck (Socialist) 0.1%
▌Miles Blansett (Communist) 0.1%
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guy Gillette | Democratic | — | 49.70% | Elected |
| L. J. Dickinson | Republican | — | 49.40% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Guy Gillette (Democratic) 49.7%
▌L. J. Dickinson (Republican) 49.4%
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clyde M. Reed | Republican | 419532 | 56.21% | Elected |
| George McGill | Democratic | 326774 | 43.78% | — |
| Joe Corpstein | Independent | 99 | 0.01% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Clyde M. Reed (Republican) 56.2%
▌George McGill (Democratic) 43.8%
Sources & further reading
Kentucky — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alben W. Barkley | Democratic | 346735 | 62.03% | Elected |
| John P. Haswell | Republican | 212266 | 37.97% | — |
| Happy Chandler (write-in) | Democratic | 20 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Alben W. Barkley (Democratic) 62.0%
▌John P. Haswell (Republican) 38.0%
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John H. Overton | Democratic | 151582 | 99.84% | Elected |
| Maurice E. Clark | Independent | 250 | 0.16% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John H. Overton (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millard Tydings | Democratic | 357245 | 68.28% | Elected |
| Oscar Lesser | Republican | 153253 | 29.29% | — |
| George W. Hunt | Union | 5784 | 1.11% | — |
| Elisabeth Gilman | Socialist | 3311 | 0.63% | — |
| Frank N. H. Lang | American Labor | 2330 | 0.45% | — |
| Harry Straw | Communist | 1301 | 0.25% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Millard Tydings (Democratic) 68.3%
▌Oscar Lesser (Republican) 29.3%
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett Champ Clark | Democratic | 757587 | 60.69% | Elected |
| Henry S. Caulfield | Republican | 488687 | 39.15% | — |
| J. G. Hodges | Socialist | 1712 | 0.14% | — |
| Karl L. Oberhue | Socialist Labor | 292 | 0.02% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bennett Champ Clark (Democratic) 60.7%
▌Henry S. Caulfield (Republican) 39.2%
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat McCarran | Democratic | 27406 | 58.96% | Elected |
| Tasker Oddie | Republican | 19078 | 41.04% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Pat McCarran (Democratic) 59.0%
▌Tasker Oddie (Republican) 41.0%
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles W. Tobey | Republican | 100633 | 54.23% | Elected |
| Fred H. Brown | Democratic | 84920 | 45.77% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Charles W. Tobey (Republican) 54.2%
▌Fred H. Brown (Democratic) 45.8%
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate (Class 1) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W. Warren Barbour | Republican | — | 53.00% | Elected |
| William H. J. Ely | Democratic | — | 45.70% | — |
Interim appointee retired. Winner elected November 8, 1938. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y W. Warren Barbour (Republican) 53.0%
▌William H. J. Ely (Democratic) 45.7%
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert F. Wagner | Democratic | — | 54.50% | Elected |
| John Lord O'Brian | Republican | — | 45.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert F. Wagner (Democratic) 54.5%
▌John Lord O'Brian (Republican) 45.0%
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate (Class 1) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James M. Mead | Democratic | — | 53.60% | Elected |
| Edward F. Corsi | Republican | — | 45.80% | — |
Incumbent died June 17, 1938. Winner elected November 8, 1938. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James M. Mead (Democratic) 53.6%
▌Edward F. Corsi (Republican) 45.8%
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert R. Reynolds | Democratic | — | 63.80% | Elected |
| Charles A. Jonas | Republican | — | 36.20% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert R. Reynolds (Democratic) 63.8%
▌Charles A. Jonas (Republican) 36.2%
Sources & further reading
North Dakota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Nye | Republican | 131907 | 50.12% | Elected |
| William Langer | Independent | 112007 | 42.56% | — |
| J. J. Nygard | Democratic | 19244 | 7.31% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Gerald Nye (Republican) 50.1%
▌William Langer (Independent) 42.6%
▌J. J. Nygard (Democratic) 7.3%
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert A. Taft | Republican | 1255414 | 53.62% | Elected |
| Robert J. Bulkley | Democratic | 1085792 | 46.38% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert A. Taft (Republican) 53.6%
▌Robert J. Bulkley (Democratic) 46.4%
Sources & further reading
Oklahoma — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmer Thomas | Democratic | 307936 | 65.37% | Elected |
| Harry G. Glasser | Republican | 159734 | 33.91% | — |
| P. C. Nelson | Prohibition | 2220 | 0.47% | — |
| Raymond B. Clark | Independent | 603 | 0.13% | — |
| Herndon J. Thompson | Independent | 573 | 0.12% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Elmer Thomas (Democratic) 65.4%
▌Harry G. Glasser (Republican) 33.9%
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rufus C. Holman | Republican | 203120 | 54.86% | Elected |
| Willis Mahoney | Democratic | 167135 | 45.14% | — |
| Scattering | None | 6 | 0.00% | — |
Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Rufus C. Holman (Republican) 54.9%
▌Willis Mahoney (Democratic) 45.1%
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Senate (Class 3) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander G. Barry | Republican | 180815 | 54.20% | Elected |
| Robert A. Miller | Democratic | 152773 | 45.80% | — |
| Scattering | None | 3 | 0.00% | — |
Interim appointee retired. Winner elected November 8, 1938. Republican gain. Winner did not run for the next term, however; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Alexander G. Barry (Republican) 54.2%
▌Robert A. Miller (Democratic) 45.8%
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James J. Davis | Republican | — | 54.70% | Elected |
| George Howard Earle III | Democratic | — | 44.40% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James J. Davis (Republican) 54.7%
▌George Howard Earle III (Democratic) 44.4%
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellison D. Smith | Democratic | 45351 | 98.89% | Elected |
| J. D. E. Meyer | Republican | 508 | 1.11% | — |
| Scattering | None | 2 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Ellison D. Smith (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
South Dakota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chan Gurney | Republican | — | 52.50% | Elected |
| Tom Berry | Democratic | — | 47.50% | — |
Interim appointee lost nomination to next term. New senator elected. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Chan Gurney (Republican) 52.5%
▌Tom Berry (Democratic) 47.5%
Sources & further reading
South Dakota — Senate (Class 3) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladys Pyle | Republican | 155292 | 58.06% | Elected |
| John T. McCullen | Democratic | 112177 | 41.94% | — |
Interim appointee retired. Winner elected November 8, 1938. Republican gain. Winner did not run for the next term, however; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Gladys Pyle (Republican) 58.1%
▌John T. McCullen (Democratic) 41.9%
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Senate (Class 2) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Stewart | Democratic | 194028 | 70.50% | Elected |
| Harley G. Fowler | Republican | 72098 | 26.20% | — |
| John Randolph Neal Jr. | Independent | 9106 | 3.31% | — |
Interim appointee lost nomination to finish the term. Winner elected November 8, 1938. Democratic hold. Winner delayed his term until January 16, 1939, to finish his term as district attorney. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Tom Stewart (Democratic) 70.5%
▌Harley G. Fowler (Republican) 26.2%
Sources & further reading
Utah — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elbert D. Thomas | Democratic | 102353 | 55.80% | Elected |
| Franklin S. Harris | Republican | 81071 | 44.20% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Elbert D. Thomas (Democratic) 55.8%
▌Franklin S. Harris (Republican) 44.2%
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ernest W. Gibson | Republican | — | 65.70% | Elected |
| John McGrath | Democratic | — | 34.30% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Ernest W. Gibson (Republican) 65.7%
▌John McGrath (Democratic) 34.3%
Sources & further reading
Washington — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homer Bone | Democratic | 371535 | 62.62% | Elected |
| Ewing D. Colvin | Republican | 220204 | 37.12% | — |
| Eugene Solie | Socialist Labor | 1553 | 0.26% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Homer Bone (Democratic) 62.6%
▌Ewing D. Colvin (Republican) 37.1%
▌Eugene Solie (Socialist Labor) 0.3%
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Wiley | Republican | 416770 | 45.92% | Elected |
| Herman Ekern | National Progressives of America | 249209 | 27.46% | — |
| F. Ryan Duffy | Democratic | 231976 | 25.56% | — |
| John B. Chapple | Townsend | 7251 | 0.80% | — |
| Fred Basset Blair | Independent Communist | 1283 | 0.14% | — |
| Joseph Erhardt | Independent Socialist Labor Party (United States) | 1014 | 0.11% | — |
| Scattering | None | 31 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Alexander Wiley (Republican) 47.7%
▌Herman Ekern (Progressive) 26.6%
▌F. Ryan Duffy (Democratic) 24.7%
Sources & further reading
Results: final · partial coverage · Elected candidates in regular races; continuing senators are not included
| Party / candidate | Votes | Vote share | Seats | Electoral votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Lister Hill · Alabama | — | — | 1 | — |
| Carl Hayden · Arizona | — | — | 1 | — |
| Hattie Caraway · Arkansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Sheridan Downey · California | — | — | 1 | — |
| Alva B. Adams · Colorado | — | — | 1 | — |
| John A. Danaher · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| Claude Pepper · Florida | — | — | 1 | — |
| Walter F. George · Georgia | — | — | 1 | — |
| D. Worth Clark · Idaho | — | — | 1 | — |
| Scott W. Lucas · Illinois | — | — | 1 | — |
| Frederick Van Nuys · Indiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Guy Gillette · Iowa | — | — | 1 | — |
| Clyde M. Reed · Kansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Alben W. Barkley · Kentucky | — | — | 1 | — |
| John H. Overton · Louisiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Millard Tydings · Maryland | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bennett Champ Clark · Missouri | — | — | 1 | — |
| Pat McCarran · Nevada | — | — | 1 | — |
| Charles W. Tobey · New Hampshire | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert F. Wagner · New York | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert R. Reynolds · North Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Gerald Nye · North Dakota | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert A. Taft · Ohio | — | — | 1 | — |
| Elmer Thomas · Oklahoma | — | — | 1 | — |
| Rufus C. Holman · Oregon | — | — | 1 | — |
| James J. Davis · Pennsylvania | — | — | 1 | — |
| Ellison D. Smith · South Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Chan Gurney · South Dakota | — | — | 1 | — |
| Elbert D. Thomas · Utah | — | — | 1 | — |
| Ernest W. Gibson · Vermont | — | — | 1 | — |
| Homer Bone · Washington | — | — | 1 | — |
| Alexander Wiley · Wisconsin | — | — | 1 | — |
The seat diagram shows only regular seats contested in this cycle, not the full Senate. Special races remain available in the state selector. Early cycles span two years and use legislative selection; missing or non-comparable vote totals are left blank. Candidate ideology is used where sourced; otherwise the broad election-era party tradition is used. Unassessed candidates are not assigned an ideology.
Sources & further reading
U.S. Senate historical party divisions