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1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

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1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →
 
Nominee Elmer Thomas Harry O. Glasser
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 307,936 159,734
Percentage 65.37% 33.91%

County results
Thomas:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Glasser:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Elmer Thomas
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Elmer Thomas
Democratic

The 1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator Elmer Thomas ran for re-election to a third term. He faced a spirited challenge in the Democratic primary from Congressman Gomer Smith and Governor E. W. Marland, but won the nomination with a slim plurality. In the general election, Thomas faced former State Senator Harry O. Glasser, the Republican nominee. Despite the nationwide trend favoring Republicans, Thomas overwhelmingly won re-election.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elmer Thomas (inc.) 252,550 44.68%
Democratic Gomer Smith 190,774 33.75%
Democratic E. W. Marland 115,625 20.46%
Democratic Charles Francis Smith 6,256 1.11%
Total votes 565,205 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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  • Harry O. Glasser, former State Senator[2]
  • James D. Davidson, real estate salesman[3]
  • William Oliver Cromwell, former Oklahoma Attorney General, 1914 Progressive nominee for the U.S. Senate[4]
  • Wilfred Marion Leise

Results

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Republican primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Harry O. Glasser 17,668 36.04%
Republican James S. Davidson 14,228 29.03%
Republican William Oliver Cromwell 12,989 26.50%
Republican Wilfred Marion Leise 4,133 8.43%
Total votes 49,018 100.00%

Prohibition primary

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Candidates

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  • P. C. Nelson
  • A. B. Lamb

Results

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Prohibition primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Prohibition P. C. Nelson 91 54.49%
Prohibition A. B. Lamb 76 45.51%
Total votes 167 100.00%

General election

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Results

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1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Elmer Thomas (inc.) 307,936 65.37% −0.24%
Republican Harry O. Glasser 159,734 33.91% +0.21%
Prohibition P.C. Nelson 2,220 0.47%
Independent Raymond Burton Clark 603 0.13%
Independent Herndon J. Thompson 573 0.12%
Majority 148,202 31.46% −0.45%
Turnout 471,066
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "1934-1938 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "G.O.P. in State Rally Irked by Marland's Slur". Miami Daily News-Record. Miami, Okla. May 5, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "Republican is Filed for Senate Position". Stillwater Daily Press. Stillwater, Okla. April 11, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  4. ^ "More Big Names File for Office". Blackwater Daily Journal. Blackwell, Okla. May 3, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.