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.
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County results Downey: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Bancroft: 40–50% 50–60% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Democratic primary edit
Candidates edit
- Sheridan Downey, nominee for Lt. Governor in 1934 and leader in the End Poverty in California movement
- William Gibbs McAdoo, incumbent Senator
- James W. Mellen
- John W. Preston, former Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
- Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)
Campaign edit
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 edit
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 edit
Candidates edit
- Philip Bancroft, founding member of the Bull Moose Party
- Ray Riley, State Controller since 1921
- Louise Ward Watkins, community activist from Pasadena
Results edit
Although he did not cross-file to appear on the ballot, Sheridan Downey did receive write-in votes.
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 edit
Candidates edit
- Paul H. Bruns
- Sheridan Downey, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 (cross-filing)
- Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)
Results edit
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 edit
Candidates edit
- Sheridan Downey, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 (cross-filing)
- Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)
Results edit
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 edit
Results edit
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 edit
References edit
- ^ "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.