1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

The 1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator Elmer Thomas ran for re-election to a third term. He faced a spirited challenge in the Democratic primary from Congressman Gomer Smith and Governor E. W. Marland, but won the nomination with a slim plurality. In the general election, Thomas faced former State Senator Harry O. Glasser, the Republican nominee. Despite the nationwide trend favoring Republicans, Thomas overwhelmingly won re-election.

1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Elmer Thomas Harry O. Glasser Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 307,936 159,734 Percentage 65.37% 33.91%

County results Thomas:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Glasser:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Elmer Thomas Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Elmer Thomas Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Elmer Thomas, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Gomer Smith, U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district, 1932 Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate
• E. W. Marland, Governor of Oklahoma
• Charles Francis Smith

Results

Democratic primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas (inc.)	252,550	44.68%
	Democratic	Gomer Smith	190,774	33.75%
	Democratic	E. W. Marland	115,625	20.46%
	Democratic	Charles Francis Smith	6,256	1.11%
Total votes			565,205	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Harry O. Glasser, former State Senator^[2]
• James D. Davidson, real estate salesman^[3]
• William Oliver Cromwell, former Oklahoma Attorney General, 1914 Progressive nominee for the U.S. Senate^[4]
• Wilfred Marion Leise

Results

Republican primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Harry O. Glasser	17,668	36.04%
	Republican	James S. Davidson	14,228	29.03%
	Republican	William Oliver Cromwell	12,989	26.50%
	Republican	Wilfred Marion Leise	4,133	8.43%
Total votes			49,018	100.00%

Prohibition primary

Candidates

• P. C. Nelson
• A. B. Lamb

Results

Prohibition primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Prohibition	P. C. Nelson	91	54.49%
	Prohibition	A. B. Lamb	76	45.51%
Total votes			167	100.00%

General election

Results

1938 United States Senate election in Oklahoma^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas (inc.)	307,936	65.37%	−0.24%
	Republican	Harry O. Glasser	159,734	33.91%	+0.21%
	Prohibition	P.C. Nelson	2,220	0.47%	—
	Independent	Raymond Burton Clark	603	0.13%	—
	Independent	Herndon J. Thompson	573	0.12%	—
Majority			148,202	31.46%	−0.45%
Turnout			471,066
	Democratic hold

References

1. "1934-1938 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
2. "G.O.P. in State Rally Irked by Marland's Slur". Miami Daily News-Record. Miami, Okla. May 5, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
3. "Republican is Filed for Senate Position". Stillwater Daily Press. Stillwater, Okla. April 11, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
4. "More Big Names File for Office". Blackwater Daily Journal. Blackwell, Okla. May 3, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.