1938 United States Senate election in California

The 1938 United States Senate election in California was held on November 2, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator William Gibbs McAdoo was defeated by Sheridan Downey in the Democratic primary. Downey went on to defeat Philip Bancroft in the general election.

1938 United States Senate election in California

November 8, 1938

Nominee Sheridan Downey Philip Bancroft Party Democratic Republican Alliance Progressive Townsend Popular vote 1,372,314 1,126,240 Percentage 54.43% 44.67%

U.S. senator before election William Gibbs McAdoo Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Sheridan Downey Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Sheridan Downey, nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 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

Senator McAdoo had the support of President Franklin Roosevelt and George Creel.

Downey was supported by his 1932 running mate Upton Sinclair and pensioner advocate Francis Townsend.

Results

1938 Democratic Senate primary[1]

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

Candidates

• Philip Bancroft, founding member of the Bull Moose Party
• Ray Riley, State Controller since 1921
• Louise Ward Watkins, community activist from Pasadena

Results

Although he did not cross-file to appear on the ballot, Sheridan Downey did receive write-in votes.

1938 Republican Senate primary[2]

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

Candidates

• Paul H. Bruns
• Sheridan Downey, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 (cross-filing)
• Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)

Results

1938 Progressive Senate primary[3]

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

Candidates

• Sheridan Downey, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 (cross-filing)
• Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)

Results

1938 Townsendite Party Senate primary[4]

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

Results

1938 United States Senate election in California[5]

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

• 1938 United States Senate elections

References

1. "CA US Senate – D Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
2. "CA US Senate – R Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
3. "CA US Senate – PRG Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
4. "CA US Senate – Town Primary, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
5. "CA US Senate, 1938". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved 24 April 2020.