# 1938 United States Senate elections

The 1938 United States Senate elections occurred in the middle of Franklin D. Roosevelt's second term. The 32 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. The Republicans gained eight seats from the Democrats, though this occurred after multiple Democratic gains since the 1932 election, leading to the Democrats retaining a commanding lead over the Republicans with more than two-thirds of the legislative chamber.
A contemporary account cited a number of reasons for the losses suffered by the Democrats. The Recession of 1937 had continued into the first half of 1938, and had arguably weakened public confidence in the administration's New Deal economic policies, along with controversy over the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937 (Roosevelt's "court-packing" plan).
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, which 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, Robert Rice Reynolds of North Carolina, and Ellison Smith of South Carolina. While a number of New Deal supporters won primary elections, such as Alben Barkley in Kentucky, who defeated Governor Happy Chandler, James P. Pope of Idaho, a prominent New Deal supporter, lost his bid for re-nomination, as did California's William McAdoo — though McAdoo's Democratic opponent, Sheridan Downey, had campaigned as a liberal New Dealer on many issues who would also do more to improve pension plans.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt had faced opposition from conservative Democrats and the Republicans in Congress since the beginning of his presidency. Josiah Bailey, Edward R. Burke, Harry F. Byrd, James F. Byrnes, Walter F. George, Peter G. Gerry, Carter Glass, Pat Harrison, Rush Holt Sr., Kenneth McKellar, and Ellison D. Smith were the conservative Democratic senators that opposed Roosevelt's policies although Harrison, Burke, Byrnes, and McKellar had initially supported the First New Deal. Vice President John Nance Garner pushed for Roosevelt to support more conservative policies. The Republicans gained eight seats in the Senate while the Democrats maintained their majority. However, there were around twenty unreliable Democratic votes for Roosevelt which allowed conservatives to block some of his policies.

## Gains, losses, and holds
### Retirements

One Democrat retired instead of seeking re-election, one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and election to a full term.
| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| Illinois | William H. Dieterich | Scott W. Lucas |
| Oregon (special) | Alfred E. Reames | Alexander G. Barry |
| Oregon | Alfred E. Reames | Rufus C. Holman |
| South Dakota (special) | Herbert E. Hitchcock | Gladys Pyle |

### Defeats

Seven Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election. One Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the primary election and one Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary election.
| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| California | William Gibbs McAdoo | Sheridan Downey |
| Connecticut | Augustine Lonergan | John A. Danaher |
| Idaho | James P. Pope | D. Worth Clark |
| Kansas | George McGill | Clyde M. Reed |
| New Hampshire | Fred H. Brown | Charles W. Tobey |
| Ohio | Robert J. Bulkley | Robert A. Taft |
| South Dakota | Herbert E. Hitchcock | Chan Gurney |
| Tennessee | George L. Berry | Tom Stewart |
| Wisconsin | F. Ryan Duffy | Alexander Wiley |

### Death

One Democrat died on June 17, 1938, and his seat remained vacant until the election.
| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| New York (special) | Royal S. Copeland | James M. Mead |

### Post-election changes

| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| Idaho | William Edgar Borah | John Thomas |
| Illinois | James Hamilton Lewis | James M. Slattery |
| Kentucky | Marvel Mills Logan | Happy Chandler |
| Vermont | Ernest Willard Gibson | Ernest W. Gibson Jr. |

## Change in composition
### Before the elections

| | | D$_1$ | D$_2$ | D$_3$ | D$_4$ | D$_5$ | D$_6$ | D$_7$ | D$_8$ |
| D$_{18}$ | D$_{17}$ | D$_{16}$ | D$_{15}$ | D$_{14}$ | D$_{13}$ | D$_{12}$ | D$_{11}$ | D$_{10}$ | D$_9$ |
| D$_{19}$ | D$_{20}$ | D$_{21}$ | D$_{22}$ | D$_{23}$ | D$_{24}$ | D$_{25}$ | D$_{26}$ | D$_{27}$ | D$_{28}$ |
| D$_{38}$ | D$_{37}$ | D$_{36}$ | D$_{35}$ | D$_{34}$ | D$_{33}$ | D$_{32}$ | D$_{31}$ | D$_{30}$ | D$_{29}$ |
| D$_{39}$ | D$_{40}$ | D$_{41}$ | D$_{42}$ | D$_{43}$ | D$_{44}$ | D$_{45}$ | D$_{46}$ Ala. (reg) Ala. (sp) Ran | D$_{47}$ Ariz. Ran | D$_{48}$ Ark. Ran |
| Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | D$_{49}$ Calif. Ran |
| D$_{58}$ Kan. Ran | D$_{57}$ Iowa Ran | D$_{56}$ Ind. Ran | D$_{55}$ Ill. Retired | D$_{54}$ Idaho Ran | D$_{53}$ Ga. Ran | D$_{52}$ Fla. Ran | D$_{51}$ Conn. Ran | D$_{50}$ Colo. Ran | D$_{49}$ Calif. Ran |
| D$_{59}$ Ky. Ran | D$_{60}$ La. Ran | D$_{61}$ Md. Ran | D$_{62}$ Mo. Ran | D$_{63}$ Nev. Ran | D$_{64}$ N.H. Ran | D$_{65}$ N.J. (sp) Retired | D$_{66}$ N.Y. (reg) Ran | D$_{67}$ N.Y. (sp) Died | D$_{68}$ N.C. Ran |
| FL$_2$ | D$_{77}$ Wisc. Ran | D$_{76}$ Wash. Ran | D$_{75}$ Utah Ran | D$_{74}$ Tenn. (sp) Ran | D$_{73}$ S.D. (reg) Ran S.D. (sp) Retired | D$_{72}$ S.C. Ran | D$_{71}$ Ore. (reg) Ore. (sp) Retired | D$_{70}$ Okla. Ran | D$_{69}$ Ohio Ran |
| FL$_1$ | I$_1$ | P$_1$ | R$_{15}$ Vt. Ran | R$_{14}$ Pa. Ran | R$_{13}$ N.D. Ran | R$_{12}$ | R$_{11}$ | R$_{10}$ | R$_9$ |
| | | R$_1$ | R$_2$ | R$_3$ | R$_4$ | R$_5$ | R$_6$ | R$_7$ | R$_8$ |

### Result of the elections

| | | D$_1$ | D$_2$ | D$_3$ | D$_4$ | D$_5$ | D$_6$ | D$_7$ | D$_8$ |
| D$_{18}$ | D$_{17}$ | D$_{16}$ | D$_{15}$ | D$_{14}$ | D$_{13}$ | D$_{12}$ | D$_{11}$ | D$_{10}$ | D$_9$ |
| D$_{19}$ | D$_{20}$ | D$_{21}$ | D$_{22}$ | D$_{23}$ | D$_{24}$ | D$_{25}$ | D$_{26}$ | D$_{27}$ | D$_{28}$ |
| D$_{38}$ | D$_{37}$ | D$_{36}$ | D$_{35}$ | D$_{34}$ | D$_{33}$ | D$_{32}$ | D$_{31}$ | D$_{30}$ | D$_{29}$ |
| D$_{39}$ | D$_{40}$ | D$_{41}$ | D$_{42}$ | D$_{43}$ | D$_{44}$ | D$_{45}$ | D$_{46}$ Ala. (sp) Elected Ala. (reg) Re-elected | D$_{47}$ Ariz. Re-elected | D$_{48}$ Ark. Re-elected |
| Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | D$_{49}$ Calif. Hold |
| D$_{58}$ La. Re-elected | D$_{57}$ Ky. Re-elected | D$_{56}$ Iowa Re-elected | D$_{55}$ Ind. Re-elected | D$_{54}$ Ill. Hold | D$_{53}$ Idaho Hold | D$_{52}$ Ga. Re-elected | D$_{51}$ Fla. Re-elected | D$_{50}$ Colo. Re-elected | D$_{49}$ Calif. Hold |
| D$_{59}$ Md. Re-elected | D$_{60}$ Mo. Re-elected | D$_{61}$ Nev. Re-elected | D$_{62}$ N.Y. (reg) Re-elected | D$_{63}$ N.Y. (sp) Hold | D$_{64}$ N.C. Re-elected | D$_{65}$ Okla. Re-elected | D$_{66}$ S.C. Re-elected | D$_{67}$ Tenn. (sp) Hold | D$_{68}$ Utah Re-elected |
| R$_{19}$ N.J. (sp) Gain | R$_{20}$ Ohio Gain | R$_{21}$ Ore. (reg) Ore. (sp) Gain | R$_{22}$ S.D. (reg) S.D. (sp) Gain | R$_{23}$ Wisc. Gain | P$_1$ | I$_1$ | FL$_1$ | FL$_2$ | D$_{69}$ Wash. Re-elected |
| R$_{18}$ N.H. Gain | R$_{17}$ Kan. Gain | R$_{16}$ Conn. Gain | R$_{15}$ Vt. Re-elected | R$_{14}$ Pa. Re-elected | R$_{13}$ N.D. Re-elected | R$_{12}$ | R$_{11}$ | R$_{10}$ | R$_9$ |
| | | R$_1$ | R$_2$ | R$_3$ | R$_4$ | R$_5$ | R$_6$ | R$_7$ | R$_8$ |
| Key: | D$_#$ Democratic FL$_#$ Farmer–Labor I$_#$ Independent P$_#$ Progressive R$_#$ Republican |

## Race summaries
### Special elections during the 75th Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1938 or before January 3, 1939; ordered by election date.
| State | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | Results | Candidates |
| State | Senator | Party | Electoral history | Results | Candidates |
| Alabama (Class 3) | J. Lister Hill | Democratic | 1938 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected April 26, 1938. | ▌Y J. Lister Hill (Democratic) Unopposed |
| New Jersey (Class 1) | John Milton | Democratic | 1938 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. Winner elected November 8, 1938. Republican gain. | ▌Y W. Warren Barbour (Republican) 53.0% ▌William H. J. Ely (Democratic) 45.7% |
| New York (Class 1) | Royal S. Copeland | Democratic | 1922 1928 1934 | Incumbent died June 17, 1938. Winner elected November 8, 1938. Democratic hold. | ▌Y James M. Mead (Democratic) 53.6% ▌Edward F. Corsi (Republican) 45.8% |
| Oregon (Class 3) | Alfred E. Reames | Democratic | 1938 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. Winner elected November 8, 1938. Republican gain. Winner did not run for the next term, however; see below. | ▌Y Alexander G. Barry (Republican) 54.2% ▌Robert A. Miller (Democratic) 45.8% |
| South Dakota (Class 3) | Herbert E. Hitchcock | Democratic | 1936 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. Winner elected November 8, 1938. Republican gain. Winner did not run for the next term, however; see below. | ▌Y Gladys Pyle (Republican) 58.1% ▌John T. McCullen (Democratic) 41.9% |
| Tennessee (Class 2) | George L. Berry | Democratic | 1937 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination to finish the term. Winner elected November 8, 1938. Democratic hold. Winner delayed his term until January 16, 1939, to finish his term as district attorney. | ▌Y Tom Stewart (Democratic) 70.5% ▌Harley G. Fowler (Republican) 26.2% |

### 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.
| State | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | Results | Candidates |
| State | Senator | Party | Electoral history | Results | Candidates |
| Alabama | J. Lister Hill | Democratic | 1938 (Appointed) 1938 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y J. Lister Hill (Democratic) 86.4% ▌J. M. Pennington (Republican) 13.6% |
| Arizona | Carl Hayden | Democratic | 1926 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Carl Hayden (Democratic) 76.5% ▌B. H. Clingan (Republican) 23.5% |
| Arkansas | Hattie Caraway | Democratic | 1931 (Appointed) 1932 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Hattie Caraway (Democratic) 89.6% ▌C. D. Atkinson (Republican) 10.4% |
| California | William Gibbs McAdoo | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Incumbent then resigned and Thomas M. Storke (D) was appointed to finish the term. | ▌Y Sheridan Downey (Democratic) 54.4% ▌Philip Bancroft (Republican) 44.7% ▌Lillain Symes Clements (Socialist) 0.9% |
| Colorado | Alva B. Adams | Democratic | 1923 (Appointed) 1924 (Retired) 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Alva B. Adams (Democratic) 58.2% ▌Archibald A. Lee (Republican) 40.2% |
| Connecticut | Augustine Lonergan | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y John A. Danaher (Republican) 42.9% ▌Augustine Lonergan (Democratic) 40.0% ▌Bellani Trombley (Socialist) 15.8% |
| Florida | Claude Pepper | Democratic | 1936 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Claude Pepper (Democratic) 82.5% ▌Thomas E. Swanson (Republican) 17.6% |
| Georgia | Walter F. George | Democratic | 1922 (special) 1926 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Walter F. George (Democratic) 95.1% ▌Charles A. Jiles (Independent) 4.9% |
| Idaho | James P. Pope | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | ▌Y D. Worth Clark (Democratic) 54.7% ▌Donald A. Callahan (Republican) 44.9% |
| Illinois | William H. Dieterich | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | ▌Y Scott W. Lucas (Democratic) 51.3% ▌Richard J. Lyons (Republican) 48.3% |
| Indiana | Frederick Van Nuys | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Frederick Van Nuys (Democratic) 49.8% ▌Raymond E. Willis (Republican) 49.5% Others ▌Herman L. Seeger (Prohibition) 0.4% ▌Louis E. Roebuck (Socialist) 0.1% ▌Miles Blansett (Communist) 0.1% |
| Iowa | Guy Gillette | Democratic | 1936 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Guy Gillette (Democratic) 49.7% ▌L. J. Dickinson (Republican) 49.4% |
| Kansas | George McGill | Democratic | 1930 (special) 1932 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Clyde M. Reed (Republican) 56.2% ▌George McGill (Democratic) 43.8% |
| Kentucky | Alben W. Barkley | Democratic | 1926 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Alben W. Barkley (Democratic) 62.0% ▌John P. Haswell (Republican) 38.0% |
| Louisiana | John H. Overton | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y John H. Overton (Democratic) Unopposed |
| Maryland | Millard Tydings | Democratic | 1926 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Millard Tydings (Democratic) 68.3% ▌Oscar Lesser (Republican) 29.3% |
| Missouri | Bennett Champ Clark | Democratic | 1932 1933 (Appointed) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Bennett Champ Clark (Democratic) 60.7% ▌Henry S. Caulfield (Republican) 39.2% |
| Nevada | Pat McCarran | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Pat McCarran (Democratic) 59.0% ▌Tasker Oddie (Republican) 41.0% |
| New Hampshire | Fred H. Brown | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Charles W. Tobey (Republican) 54.2% ▌Fred H. Brown (Democratic) 45.8% |
| New York | Robert F. Wagner | Democratic | 1926 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Robert F. Wagner (Democratic) 54.5% ▌John Lord O'Brian (Republican) 45.0% |
| North Carolina | Robert R. Reynolds | Democratic | 1932 (special) 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Robert R. Reynolds (Democratic) 63.8% ▌Charles A. Jonas (Republican) 36.2% |
| North Dakota | Gerald Nye | Republican | 1925 (Appointed) 1926 (special) 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Gerald Nye (Republican) 50.1% ▌William Langer (Independent) 42.6% ▌J. J. Nygard (Democratic) 7.3% |
| Ohio | Robert J. Bulkley | Democratic | 1930 (special) 1932 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Robert A. Taft (Republican) 53.6% ▌Robert J. Bulkley (Democratic) 46.4% |
| Oklahoma | Elmer Thomas | Democratic | 1926 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Elmer Thomas (Democratic) 65.4% ▌Harry G. Glasser (Republican) 33.9% |
| Oregon | Alfred E. Reames | Democratic | 1938 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Rufus C. Holman (Republican) 54.9% ▌Willis Mahoney (Democratic) 45.1% |
| Pennsylvania | James J. Davis | Republican | 1930 (special) 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y James J. Davis (Republican) 54.7% ▌George Howard Earle III (Democratic) 44.4% |
| South Carolina | Ellison D. Smith | Democratic | 1909 1914 1920 1926 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Ellison D. Smith (Democratic) Unopposed |
| South Dakota | Herbert E. Hitchcock | Democratic | 1936 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination to next term. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Chan Gurney (Republican) 52.5% ▌Tom Berry (Democratic) 47.5% |
| Utah | Elbert D. Thomas | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Elbert D. Thomas (Democratic) 55.8% ▌Franklin S. Harris (Republican) 44.2% |
| Vermont | Ernest W. Gibson | Republican | 1933 (Appointed) 1934 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Ernest W. Gibson (Republican) 65.7% ▌John McGrath (Democratic) 34.3% |
| Washington | Homer Bone | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Homer Bone (Democratic) 62.6% ▌Ewing D. Colvin (Republican) 37.1% ▌Eugene Solie (Socialist Labor) 0.3% |
| Wisconsin | F. Ryan Duffy | Democratic | 1932 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Alexander Wiley (Republican) 47.7% ▌Herman Ekern (Progressive) 26.6% ▌F. Ryan Duffy (Democratic) 24.7% |

## Closest races

Thirteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:
| State | Party of winner | Margin |
| Indiana | Democratic | 0.3% |
| Iowa | Democratic | 0.3% |
| Connecticut | Republican (flip) | 2.9% |
| Illinois | Democratic | 3.0% |
| South Dakota | Republican (flip) | 5.0% |
| Ohio | Republican (flip) | 7.2% |
| New Jersey | Republican (flip) | 7.3% |
| North Dakota | Democratic | 7.5% |
| New Hampshire | Republican (flip) | 8.4% |
| New York | Democratic | 9.5% |
| California | Democratic | 9.7% |
| Idaho | Democratic | 9.8% |
| Oregon | Republican (flip) | 9.8% |
There is no tipping point state.

## Alabama

There were 2 elections due to the August 19, 1937, resignation of two-term Democrat Hugo Black. Democrat Dixie Bibb Graves was appointed August 20, 1937 (by her husband, the governor) to finish Black's term.

### Alabama (special)

Alabama special Democratic primary, January 4, 1938 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | J. Lister Hill | 90,601 | 61.81% |
| | Democratic | James Thomas Heflin | 50,189 | 34.24% |
| | Democratic | Charles W. Williams | 5,783 | 3.95% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 1.87% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40,412 | 27.57% |
After congressman J. Lister Hill won the January 4, 1938, Democratic primary, Graves resigned and Hill was appointed to continue the term until the April 26, 1938, special election, which he won unopposed.
Alabama special election, April 26, 1938 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | J. Lister Hill (Incumbent) | 49,429 | 100.00% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 1.87% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
Hill was then easily re-elected in November to the next term.

### Alabama (regular)

Alabama election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | J. Lister Hill (Incumbent) | 113,413 | 86.38% |
| | Republican | J. M. Pennington | 17,885 | 13.62% |
| | None | Scattering | 1 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 95,528 | 72.76% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 131,299 | 4.96% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Arizona

Incumbent Democrat Carl Hayden was re-elected 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.
Arizona Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Carl T. Hayden (Incumbent) | 68,328 | 65.48% |
| | Democratic | Robert E. Miller | 22,154 | 21.23% |
| | Democratic | Whit I. Hughes | 13,867 | 13.29% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 104,349 | 100.00 |
Arizona general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Carl T. Hayden (Incumbent) | 82,714 | 76.52% |
| | Republican | Burt H. Clingan | 25,378 | 23.48% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 57,336 | 53.04% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 108,092 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Arkansas

Arkansas election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Hattie Wyatt Caraway (Incumbent) | 122,883 | 89.58% |
| | Republican | C. T. Atkinson | 14,290 | 10.42% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 108,593 | 79.16% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 137,173 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## California

California election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sheridan Downey | 1,372,314 | 54.41% |
| | Republican | Philip Bancroft | 1,126,240 | 44.65% |
| | Socialist | Lillian Symes Clements | 22,569 | 0.89% |
| | None | Scattering | 1,019 | 0.04% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 246,074 | 9.76% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,522,142 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Colorado

Colorado election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Alva B. Adams (Incumbent) | 262,786 | 58.24% |
| | Republican | Archibald A. Lee | 181,297 | 40.18% |
| | Socialist | Carle Whitehead | 3,604 | 0.80% |
| | Independent Progressive | James Allander | 3,522 | 0.78% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 81,489 | 18.06% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 451,209 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Connecticut

Connecticut election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John A. Danaher | 270,413 | 42.89% |
| | Democratic | Augustine Lonergan (Incumbent) | 252,426 | 40.04% |
| | Socialist | Bellani Trombley | 99,282 | 15.75% |
| | Socialist Labor | Joseph Mackey | 6,931 | 1.10% |
| | American Labor | Philip Brainard | 766 | 0.12% |
| | Communist | Michael A. Russo | 615 | 0.10% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,987 | 2.85% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 630,433 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Florida

Florida election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Claude Pepper (Incumbent) | 145,757 | 82.45% |
| | Republican | Thomas E. Swanson | 31,035 | 17.55% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 114,722 | 64.90% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 176,792 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Georgia

Georgia election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Walter F. George (Incumbent) | 66,987 | 95.09% |
| | Independent | Charles A. Jiles | 3,442 | 4.89% |
| | Independent | Eugene Talmadge | 14 | 0.02% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 63,545 | 90.20% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 70,443 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Idaho

Idaho election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | David Worth Clark | 99,801 | 54.66% |
| | Republican | Donald A. Callahan | 81,939 | 44.88% |
| | Progressive | V. A. Verhei | 845 | 0.46% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,862 | 9.78% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 182,585 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Illinois

Incumbent Democrat William H. Dieterich retired, making this an open-seat.
Illinois election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Scott W. Lucas | 1,638,162 | 51.32% |
| | Republican | Richard J. Lyons | 1,542,574 | 48.33% |
| | Prohibition | Enoch A. Holtwick | 10,707 | 0.34% |
| | None | Scattering | 569 | 0.02% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 95,588 | 2.99% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,192,012 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Indiana

Indiana election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Frederick Van Nuys (Incumbent) | 788,386 | 49.85% |
| | Republican | Raymond E. Willis | 783,189 | 49.52% |
| | Prohibition | Herman L. Seeger | 6,905 | 0.44% |
| | Socialist | Louis E. Roebuck | 2,026 | 0.13% |
| | Communist | Miles Blansett | 984 | 0.06% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,197 | 0.33% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,581,490 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Iowa

Iowa election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Guy Gillette (Incumbent) | 413,788 | 49.74% |
| | Republican | Lester J. Dickinson | 410,983 | 49.41% |
| | Farmer–Labor | George F. Buresch | 4,723 | 0.57% |
| | Progressive | Raymond E. Hanke | 1,525 | 0.18% |
| | Prohibition | G. W. Bauseman | 820 | 0.10% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,805 | 0.33% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 831,839 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Kansas

This is the last time that a Senator from Kansas lost re-election. Republicans have not lost a Senate election in the state since.
Kansas election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Clyde M. Reed | 419,532 | 56.21% |
| | Democratic | George McGill (Incumbent) | 326,774 | 43.78% |
| | Independent | Joe Corpstein | 99 | 0.01% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 92,758 | 12.43% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 746,405 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Kentucky

Kentucky election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Alben W. Barkley (Incumbent) | 346,735 | 62.03% |
| | Republican | John P. Haswell | 212,266 | 37.97% |
| | Democratic | Happy Chandler (write-in) | 20 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 134,469 | 22.06% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 559,021 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Louisiana

Louisiana election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John H. Overton (Incumbent) | 151,582 | 99.84% |
| | Independent | Maurice E. Clark | 250 | 0.16% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 151,332 | 99.68% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 151,832 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Maryland

Maryland election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Millard Tydings (Incumbent) | 357,245 | 68.28% |
| | Republican | Oscar Lesser | 153,253 | 29.29% |
| | Union | George W. Hunt | 5,784 | 1.11% |
| | Socialist | Elisabeth Gilman | 3,311 | 0.63% |
| | American Labor | Frank N. H. Lang | 2,330 | 0.45% |
| | Communist | Harry Straw | 1,301 | 0.25% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 203,992 | 38.99% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 523,238 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Missouri

Missouri election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bennett Champ Clark (Incumbent) | 757,587 | 60.69% |
| | Republican | Henry S. Caulfield | 488,687 | 39.15% |
| | Socialist | J. G. Hodges | 1,712 | 0.14% |
| | Socialist Labor | Karl L. Oberhue | 292 | 0.02% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 268,900 | 21.54% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,248,278 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Nevada

Nevada election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Pat McCarran (Incumbent) | 27,406 | 58.96% |
| | Republican | Tasker Oddie | 19,078 | 41.04% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,328 | 17.92% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,484 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## New Hampshire

New Hampshire election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Charles W. Tobey | 100,633 | 54.23% |
| | Democratic | Fred H. Brown (Incumbent) | 84,920 | 45.77% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,713 | 8.46% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 185,553 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## New Jersey (special)

New Jersey special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William Warren Barbour | 816,667 | 52.98% |
| | Democratic | William H. J. Ely | 704,159 | 45.68% |
| | Prohibition | Louis H. Kelley | 8,201 | 0.53% |
| | Socialist | John Palangio | 3,671 | 0.24% |
| | Townsend | Fred Turner | 3,521 | 0.23% |
| | Communist | William Norman | 3,515 | 0.23% |
| | Socialist Labor | John C. Butterworth | 1,873 | 0.12% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 112,508 | 7.30% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,541,607 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## New York

There were 2 elections due to the June 17, 1938, death of three-term Democrat Royal S. Copeland.

### New York (regular)

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.
1938 United States Senate election in New York :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert F. Wagner (Incumbent) | 2,098,919 | 45.80% |
| | American Labor | Robert F. Wagner (Incumbent) | 398,410 | 8.69% |
| | Total | Robert F. Wagner (Incumbent) | 2,497,029 | 54.48% |
| | Republican | John Lord O'Brian | 2,046,794 | 44.66% |
| | Independent Progressive | John Lord O'Brian | 11,821 | 0.26% |
| | 'Total' | John Lord O'Brian | 2,058,615 | 44.92% |
| | Socialist | Herman J. Hahn | 23,553 | 0.51% |
| | Socialist Labor | O. Martin Olson | 3,851 | 0.08% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,583,048 | 100.00% |

### New York (special)

New York Republicans nominated Edward Corsi for the short term to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Royal S. Copeland. Democrats nominated James M. Mead. The American Labor party endorsed Mead.
| Democratic ticket | Democratic ticket | Republican ticket | Republican ticket | American Labor ticket | American Labor ticket | Socialist ticket | Socialist ticket |
| James M. Mead | 2,060,876 | Edward F. Corsi | 2,083,666 | James M. Mead | 378,028 | Harry W. Laidler | 27,161 |

## North Carolina

North Carolina election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Rice Reynolds (Incumbent) | 316,685 | 63.80% |
| | Republican | Charles A. Jonas | 179,650 | 36.20% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 137,035 | 27.60% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 496,335 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## North Dakota

North Dakota election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gerald Nye (Incumbent) | 131,907 | 50.12% |
| | Independent | William Langer | 112,007 | 42.56% |
| | Democratic | J. J. Nygard | 19,244 | 7.31% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19,900 | 7.56% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 263,158 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Ohio

Ohio election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Robert A. Taft | 1,255,414 | 53.62% |
| | Democratic | Robert J. Bulkley (Incumbent) | 1,085,792 | 46.38% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 169,622 | 7.24% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,341,206 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Oklahoma

Oklahoma election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Elmer Thomas (Incumbent) | 307,936 | 65.37% |
| | Republican | Harry G. Glasser | 159,734 | 33.91% |
| | Prohibition | P. C. Nelson | 2,220 | 0.47% |
| | Independent | Raymond B. Clark | 603 | 0.13% |
| | Independent | Herndon J. Thompson | 573 | 0.12% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 148,202 | 31.46% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 471,066 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## 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 1, 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.
Oregon special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Alexander G. Barry | 180,815 | 54.20% |
| | Democratic | Robert A. Miller | 152,773 | 45.80% |
| | None | Scattering | 3 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 28,042 | 8.40% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 333,591 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### Oregon (regular)

Oregon general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rufus C. Holman | 203,120 | 54.86% |
| | Democratic | Willis Mahoney | 167,135 | 45.14% |
| | None | Scattering | 6 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 35,985 | 9.72% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 370,261 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Pennsylvania

General election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James J. Davis (incumbent) | 2,086,931 | 54.70% |
| | Democratic | George H. Earle | 1,694,367 | 44.41% |
| | Socialist | David H. H. Felix | 20,155 | 0.53% |
| | Prohibition | Forest S. Van Valin | 9,327 | 0.24% |
| | Pathfinders | Reginald B. Naugle | 2,508 | 0.07% |
| | Communist | Pat Toohey | 1,530 | 0.04% |
| | None | Scattering | 104 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 392,564 | 10.29% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,814,922 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## South Carolina

South Carolina election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ellison D. Smith (Incumbent) | 45,351 | 98.89% |
| | Republican | J. D. E. Meyer | 508 | 1.11% |
| | None | Scattering | 2 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 44,843 | 97.78% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,861 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## South Dakota

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.

### South Dakota (special)

South Dakota election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gladys Pyle | 155,292 | 58.06% |
| | Democratic | John T. McCullen | 112,177 | 41.94% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 43,115 | 16.12% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 267,469 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### South Dakota (regular)

Hitchcock lost the Democratic May 3, 1938, primary for the next term to Governor of South Dakota Tom Berry.
South Dakota general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Chandler Gurney | 146,813 | 52.46% |
| | Democratic | Tom Berry | 133,064 | 47.54% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,749 | 4.92% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 279,877 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Tennessee (special)

Tennessee special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tom Stewart | 194,028 | 70.50% |
| | Republican | Harley G. Fowler | 72,098 | 26.20% |
| | Independent | John Randolph Neal Jr. | 9,106 | 3.31% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21,930 | 44.30% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 275,232 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Utah

Utah election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Elbert D. Thomas (Incumbent) | 102,353 | 55.80% |
| | Republican | Franklin S. Harris | 81,071 | 44.20% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21,282 | 11.60% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 183,424 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Vermont

Vermont election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ernest Willard Gibson (Incumbent) | 73,990 | 65.58% |
| | Democratic | John McGrath | 38,673 | 34.28% |
| | None | Scattering | 161 | 0.14% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 35,317 | 31.30% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 112,824 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Washington

Washington election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Homer Bone (Incumbent) | 371,535 | 62.62% |
| | Republican | Ewing D. Colvin | 220,204 | 37.12% |
| | Socialist Labor | Eugene Solie | 1,553 | 0.26% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 151,331 | 25.50% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 593,292 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Wisconsin

Wisconsin election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Alexander Wiley | 416,770 | 45.92% |
| | Progressive | Herman Ekern | 249,209 | 27.46% |
| | Democratic | F. Ryan Duffy (Incumbent) | 231,976 | 25.56% |
| | Townsend | John B. Chapple | 7,251 | 0.80% |
| | Independent Communist | Fred Basset Blair | 1,283 | 0.14% |
| | Independent Socialist Labor Party (United States) | Joseph Erhardt | 1,014 | 0.11% |
| | None | Scattering | 31 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 167,561 | 18.46% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 907,534 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |