The 1938 United States Senate election in California was held on November 2, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator William Gibbs McAdoo ran for a second term, but was defeated by Sheridan Downey in the Democratic primary. Downey went on to defeat Philip Bancroft in the general election.
November 8, 1938 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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County results Downey: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Bancroft: 40–50% 50–60% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Democratic primary
Candidates
- Sheridan Downey, nominee for Lt. Governor in 1934 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 1934 running mate Upton Sinclair and pensioner advocate Francis Townsend.
Results
| 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.
| 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
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) | 4,507 | 64.04% | |
| Republican | Ray L. Riley (cross-filing) | 1,552 | 22.05% | |
| California Progressive Party | 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
| 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
| 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
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