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1938 United States Senate elections in South Dakota

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The 1938 United States Senate elections in South Dakota took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Republican Senator Peter Norbeck died in office on December 20, 1936. Herbert E. Hitchcock was appointed by Governor Tom Berry as Norbeck's replacement. Two elections for the same Senate seat were held on the same day; one as a special election to fill the remainder of Norbeck's six-year term, and another to select a Senator to serve the next six-year term.

1938 United States Senate elections in South Dakota
← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →
 
Nominee Chan Gurney Tom Berry
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 146,813 133,064
Percentage 52.46% 47.54%
County results
Gurney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Berry:      50–60%      60–70%
No Vote:      
U.S. senator before election

Herbert E. Hitchcock
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Chan Gurney
Republican

In the regularly scheduled election, Hitchcock ran for election for a full term, but was overwhelmingly defeated in the Democratic primary by former Governor Berry. In the Republican primary, businessman Chan Gurney won a slim plurality in a crowded primary. Gurney narrowly defeated Berry to win his first of two terms in the Senate. In the special election for the final few months of Norbeck's term, former Secretary of State Gladys Pyle won the Republican nomination unopposed, and Thomas W. Crawford won the Democratic nomination unopposed. However, following Crawford's death, the state Democratic Party named John T. McCullen as its replacement nominee. Pyle defeated McCullen in a landslide, becoming the first woman to represent South Dakota in the United States Senate.

Democratic primary

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Regular election

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Berry 46,292 63.04%
Democratic Fred Hildebrandt 17,391 23.68%
Democratic Herbert Hitchcock (inc.) 9,750 13.28%
Total votes 73,433 100.00%

Special election

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Thomas M. Crawford was the only Democratic candidate to file for the special election, thereby removing the primary election from the ballot and granting him the nomination by default.[2] However, after the primary election took place, Crawford died. The Democratic Party of South Dakota named John T. McCullen, a former State Senator from Hand County,[3] as its replacement nominee.[4]

Republican primary

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Regular election

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Candidates

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  • Chan Gurney, businessman
  • Leslie Jensen, Governor of South Dakota
  • George J. Danforth, former State Senator,[5] 1926 Republican candidate for U.S. Senate
  • Paul E. Bellamy, businessman[6]

Results

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Republican primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chan Gurney 49,371 46.75%
Republican Leslie Jensen 40,917 38.75%
Republican George J. Danforth 8,883 8.41%
Republican Paul E. Bellamy 6,434 6.09%
Total votes 105,605 100.00%

Special election

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Former Secretary of State Gladys Pyle announced that she would run for the Republican nomination for the special election.[7] She, like Crawford, won the Republican nomination unopposed and the race did not appear on the primary election ballot.[2]

General election

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Results

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Regular election

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1938 United States Senate election in South Dakota[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Chan Gurney 146,813 52.46% −1.37%
Democratic Tom Berry 133,064 47.54% +2.97%
Majority 13,749 4.91% −4.34%
Turnout 279,877
Republican gain from Democratic

Special election

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Special election county results
  Pyle
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  McCullen
  •   50–60%
  Tie
  No Vote
1938 United States Senate special election in South Dakota[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Gladys Pyle 155,292 58.06% +4.23%
Democratic John T. McCullen 112,177 41.94% −2.63%
Majority 43,115 16.12% +6.86%
Turnout 267,469
Republican gain from Democratic

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 628.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ a b "23 Candidates Qualify For Major State And National Offices: Fights Develop for All Posts; Drawing Monday". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. April 3, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "J. T. McCullen". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "Vacancies on Demo Ticket Are Filled Today". Lead Daily Call. Lead, S.D. August 1, 1938. p. 3. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "George Johnathan Danforth". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  6. ^ "Bellamy Still Considers Running for Senate Post". Lead Daily Call. Lead, S.D. February 1, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  7. ^ "Gladys Pyle Seeks Short Senate Term". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. February 23, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
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