1938 United States Senate election in California

none March 2026 September 2023 1938 United States Senate election in California California Flag of California (1924–1953).png presidential no 1932 United States Senate election in California 1932 1944 United States Senate election in California 1944 November 8, 1938 Sheridan Downey Gabriel Moulin Portrait 1945 Trim Edit.jpg Sheridan Downey ProgressiveTownsend Democratic Party (US) 1,372,314 54.43% Philip Bancroft.jpg Philip Bancroft Republican Party (US) 1,126,240 44.67% 1938 United States Senate election in California results map by county.svg 300px County resultsDowney: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Bancroft: #FFB2B2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #D72F30 70–80% U.S. Senator William Gibbs McAdoo Democratic Party (US) Sheridan Downey Democratic Party (US) The 1938 United States Senate election in California was held on November 2, 1938. Democratic incumbent William Gibbs McAdoo ran for re-election to a second term but was defeated by Sheridan Downey in the Democratic primary. In the general election, Downey defeated Philip Bancroft. Democratic primary Candidates Sheridan Downey, leader in the End Poverty in California movement and nominee for lieutenant governor in 1934 William Gibbs McAdoo, incumbent U.S. senator since 1933 James W. Mellen John W. Preston, former associate justice of the Supreme Court of California Ray Riley, state controller since 1921 (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. The primary issue of the Democratic primary was the Ham and Eggs movement, a proposal which advocated for the payment of $30 every week to unemployed Californians aged 50 or older. The movement was supported by Downey and other EPIC allies. McAdoo, on the other hand, opposed it, arguing it was fiscally irresponsible. Results 1938 Democratic Senate primaryCA US Senate – D Primary, 1938 https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=379496 OurCampaigns.com 24 April 2020 Democratic Party (United States) Sheridan Downey 511,952 46.05% Democratic Party (United States) William Gibbs McAdoo (incumbent) 375,930 33.82% Republican Party (United States) Ray Riley (cross-filing) 103,748 9.33% Democratic Party (United States) John W. Preston 95,547 8.60% Democratic Party (United States) James W. Mellen 24,467 2.20% 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 primaryCA US Senate – R Primary, 1938 https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=775958 OurCampaigns.com 24 April 2020 Republican Party (United States) Philip Bancroft 295,751 44.86% Republican Party (United States) Ray L. Riley 292,940 44.43% Republican Party (United States) Louise Ward Watkins 54,248 8.23% Democratic Party (United States) Sheridan Downey (write-in) 16,360 2.48% 659,299 100.00% Progressive primary Candidates Paul H. Bruns Sheridan Downey, leader in the End Poverty in California movement and Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1934 (cross-filing) Ray Riley, state controller since 1921 (cross-filing) Results 1938 Progressive Senate primaryCA US Senate – PRG Primary, 1938 https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=765029 OurCampaigns.com 24 April 2020 Democratic Party (United States) Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) 4,507 64.04% Republican Party (United States) Ray L. Riley (cross-filing) 1,552 22.05% California Progressive Party Paul H. Bruns 939 13.91% 659,299 100.00% Townsend Party primary Candidates Sheridan Downey, leader in the End Poverty in California movement and Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1934 (cross-filing) Ray Riley, state controller since 1921 (cross-filing) Results 1938 Townsendite Party Senate primaryCA US Senate – Town Primary, 1938 https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=765030 OurCampaigns.com 24 April 2020 Democratic Party (United States) Sheridan Downey (cross-filing) 14,132 91.39% Republican Party (United States) Ray L. Riley (cross-filing) 7,038 8.61% 15,463 100.00% General election Candidates Philip Bancroft, founding member of the Bull Moose Party (Republican) Lilian S. Clemente (Socialist) Sheridan Downey, leader in the End Poverty in California movement and candidate for lieutenant governor in 1934 (Democratic) Results 1938 United States Senate election in CaliforniaCA US Senate, 1938 https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=26813 OurCampaigns.com 24 April 2020 Democratic Party (United States) Sheridan Downey 1,372,314 54.43% Republican Party (United States) Philip Bancroft 1,126,240 44.67% Socialist Party USA Lillian S. Clemente 22,569 0.90% 2,521,123 100.00% See also 1938 United States Senate elections References Category:1938 California elections California 1938