The United States Senate elections of 1938 occurred in the middle of Franklin D. Roosevelt's second term. This occurred six years after the Democratic landslide in the 1932 election, and so the opposition Republicans gained seven seats from the Democrats. However, the Democrats retained a commanding lead over the Republicans with more than two-thirds of the chamber.
Background
A contemporary account cited a number of reasons for the losses suffered by the Democrats. The first was the Recession of 1937, which had continued into the first half of 1938, and which had arguably weakened public confidence in the administration's New Deal economic policies. Controversy over the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937 was also a major factor. There were, in addition, strains between the more liberal New Deal supporters and the conservative wing of the Democratic party centered in the Southern states. These strains were exacerbated by an effort led by President Roosevelt to target certain conservative senators for defeat in Democratic primaries, including Walter George of Georgia, Millard Tydings of Maryland and Ellison Smith of South Carolina, along with the chairman of the House Rules Committee, John J. O'Connor of New York. While a number of New Deal supporters won primary elections, such as Sen. Alben Barkley in Kentucky, who defeated future baseball commissionerHappy Chandler, Sen. James P. Pope of Idaho, a prominent New Deal supporter, lost his bid for re-nomination, as did California senator William McAdoo, though McAdoo's Democratic opponent Sheridan Downey had campaigned as a liberal New Dealer who would also do more to improve pension plans. Given the high levels of Democratic success in the 1930, 1932, 1934 and 1936 elections, the Democrats were in a difficult position in defending a large number of seats, even without these pressures. This was the first of five consecutive elections where the GOP made gains in the Senate.
Gains and losses
Overall, the Democrats lost 7 seats to Republicans
George McGill, the last Democrat ever elected to the Senate from Kansas as of
Fred H. Brown
John Gerald Milton had been appointed to replace A. Harry Moore, who resigned. Milton did not run in the special election to finish the current term.
Robert J. Bulkley
Herbert Hitchcock had been appointed to replace Peter Norbeck, who died. Hitchcock lost the Democratic primary both to finish the current term and for the new term.
In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1938 or before January 3, 1939; ordered by election date.
Races leading to the 76th Congress
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1939; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.
After congressman J. Lister Hill won the January 4, 1938 Democratic primary, Gibbs resigned and Hill was appointed to continue the term until the April 26, 1938 special election, which he won unoppposed. Hill was then easily re-elected in November to the next term.
Alabama (General)
Arizona
Incumbent Democrat Carl Hayden ran for re-election to a third term, defeating Republican nominee Burt H. Clingan, chairman of the Arizona Industrial Commission, in the general election. In contrast to previous elections, Hayden was easily reelected, receiving only token opposition from a relatively unknown Republican challenger.
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Incumbent Democrat William H. Dieterich retired, making this an open-seat.
There were 2 elections due to the June 17, 1938 death of three-term Democrat Royal S. Copeland.
New York (General)
New York Republicans nominated John Lord O'Brian for the U.S. Senate. Democrats re-nominated the incumbent Wagner. The American Labor party endorsed Wagner.
New York (Special)
New York Republicans nominated Edward Corsi for the short Senate term. Democrats nominated James M. Mead. The American Labor party endorsed Mead.
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
There were 2 elections for the same seat, due to the January 31, 1938 resignation of two-term Republican Frederick Steiwer. Democratic businessman Alfred E. Reames was appointed February 11, 1938 to continue the term, pending a special election, but he did not run in either the special or the general elections.
Oregon (Special)
Republican Alexander G. Barry was elected to finish the term, but was not a candidate for the next term.
There were 2 elections for the same seat due to the December 20, 1936 death of three-term Republican Peter Norbeck. Democrat Herbert Hitchcock was appointed December 29, 1936 to continue the term, pending a special election.
