1926 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

The 1926 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 2, 1926. Incumbent Republican Senator John W. Harreld ran for re-election to a second term. After facing many challengers in a crowded Republican primary, he advanced to the general election. In the Democratic primary, Congressman Elmer Thomas beat out a similarly crowded field, which included former Governor Jack C. Walton, to win his party's nomination with a plurality. In the general election, Thomas defeated Harreld in a landslide, winning his first of four terms in the U.S. Senate.

1926 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1920 November 2, 1926 1932 →

Nominee Elmer Thomas John W. Harreld Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 195,312 159,287 Percentage 54.78% 44.67%

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

U.S. senator before election John W. Harreld Republican Elected U.S. Senator Elmer Thomas Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• W. A. Ledbetter, former delegate to state constitutional convention^[1]
• Lamar Looney, State Senator from Harmon County^[2]
• M. L. Misenheimer, editor of the Lexington Bee^[3]
• Elmer Thomas, U.S. Representative from Medicine Park
• Jack C. Walton, former Governor of Oklahoma and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 1924

Results

Democratic primary^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas	85,490	42.60%
	Democratic	Jack C. Walton	66,684	33.23%
	Democratic	W. A. Ledbetter	26,615	13.26%
	Democratic	Lamar Looney	18,270	9.10%
	Democratic	M. L. Misenheimer	3,616	1.80%
Total votes			200,675	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• John W. Harreld, incumbent U.S. Senator
• U. S. Stone, Oklahoma City oilman^[5]
• Joe C. Fox, retired farmer^[6]
• John A. Buckles, former Enid Postmaster^[7]
• B. G. Bingham, farmer^[8]
• Preston A. Shinn
• D. Lafe Hubler

Results

Republican primary^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John W. Harreld (inc.)	30,307	53.96%
	Republican	U. S. Stone	8,377	14.87%
	Republican	Joe C. Fox	5,319	9.44%
	Republican	John A. Buckles	4,151	7.37%
	Republican	B. G. Bingham	3,155	5.60%
	Republican	Preston A. Shinn	2,796	4.96%
	Republican	D. Lafe Hubler	2,146	3.81%
Total votes			56,351	100.00%

Socialist Primary

Candidates

• J. A. Hart

Results

Socialist primary^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Socialist	J. A. Hart	131	100.00%
Total votes			131	100.00%

Farmer–Labor Primary

Candidates

• J. Edwin Spurr

Results

Farmer–Labor primary^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Farmer–Labor	J. Edwin Spurr	37	100.00%
Total votes			37	100.00%

General election

Results

1926 United States Senate election in Oklahoma^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas	195,312	54.78%	+10.26%
	Republican	John W. Harreld (inc.)	159,287	44.67%	−5.97%
	Socialist	J. A. Hart	1,012	0.28%	−4.55%
	Farmer–Labor	J. Edwin Spurr	791	0.22%	—
	Independent	Thomas P. Hopley	152	0.04%	—
Majority			36,025	10.10%	+3.98%
Turnout			356,554
	Democratic gain from Republican

References

1. "Ledbetter Talked for Senate". Harlow's Weekly. Oklahoma City, Okla. March 6, 1926. p. 15. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
2. "A Woman Files for U.S. Senator". Chickasha Star. Chickasha, Okla. April 29, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
3. "Lexington Publisher Would Change Dry Law". Norman Transcript. Norman, Okla. March 4, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
4. "1922-1926 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
5. "Gore Follows Harris, Tilting Political Pot". Standard-Sentinel. Stilwell, Okla. June 17, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
6. "Harreld Has New Opponent: Joe C. Fox, Eucha, Files in U. S. Senatorial Race". Oklahoma News. Oklahoma City, Okla. May 29, 1926. p. 7. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
7. "John Buckles Visits the Old Home Town". Enid Events. Enid, Okla. July 15, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
8. "Logan Farmer in Senate Race: B. G. Bingham Files on Anti-Volstead Platform". Oklahoma News. Oklahoma City, Okla. June 1, 1926. p. 10. Retrieved June 14, 2021.