# 1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota

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The 1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Republican Senator Gerald Nye ran for re-election to his third term. He faced a strong challenge in the Republican primary from colorful Governor William Langer, but narrowly won renomination. Langer subsequently ran as an independent against Nye in the general election, and won the endorsement of the Nonpartisan League. The contest effectively sidelined Democratic nominee J. J. Nygaard, and the contest between Nye and Langer devolved into sharp disagreements about the United States's foreign affairs. Nye ultimately defeated Langer by a wide margin—winning 50% of the vote to Langer's 43%—but significantly reduced from his 1932 and 1926 landslides.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* J. J. Nygaard, 1936 Democratic congressional candidate
* Halvor L. Halvorson, perennial candidate
* B. A. Johansson

### Results

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | J. J. Nygaard | 27,981 | 72.00% |
| | Democratic | Halvor L. Halvorson | 8,335 | 21.45% |
| | Democratic | B. A. Johansson | 2,545 | 6.55% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 38,861 | 100.00% |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Gerald Nye, incumbent U.S. Senator
* William Langer, Governor of North Dakota

### Results

Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gerald Nye (inc.) | 91,510 | 51.45% |
| | Republican | William Langer | 86,359 | 48.55% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 177,869 | 100.00% |

## General election
### Results

1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Gerald Nye (inc.) | 131,907 | 50.12% | −22.18% |
| | Independent | William Langer | 112,007 | 42.56% | — |
| | Democratic | J. J. Nygaard | 19,244 | 7.31% | −20.14% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19,900 | 7.56% | −37.29% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 263,158 | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |