# 1938 United States Senate election in California

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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.

## 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

1938 Democratic Senate primary :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | 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 :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | 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 :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | 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 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) | 14,132 | 91.39% |
| | Republican | Ray L. Riley (cross-filing) | 7,038 | 8.61% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,463 | 100.00% |

## General election
### Results

1938 United States Senate election in California :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 2,521,123 | 100.00% |