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1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

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.

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

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.
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