1938 Colorado gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1938 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1938 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1938. Republican nominee Ralph Lawrence Carr defeated Democratic incumbent Teller Ammons with 59.50% of the vote.

1938 Colorado gubernatorial election

← 1936 November 8, 1938 1940 →

Nominee Ralph Lawrence Carr Teller Ammons Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 296,671 199,562 Percentage 59.50% 40.02%

County results Carr:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Ammons:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Teller Ammons Democratic Elected Governor Ralph Lawrence Carr Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Teller Ammons, incumbent Governor of Colorado
• George J. Knapp, Pueblo newspaper publisher

Dropped out

• Elmer E. Headlee, State Senator from Monte Vista^[1]

Campaign

First-term Democratic Governor Teller Ammons ran for re-election and faced uncertain opposition in the Democratic primary. He initially faced a primary challenge from conservative State Senator Elmer E. Headlee, who represented the San Luis Valley. However, at the state Democratic convention, Headlee ended his campaign, apparently concerned that he lacked enough votes to continue his campaign to the primary election. Accordingly, Ammons was nominated without opposition.^[2] Prior to the primary, however, Pueblo newspaper editor George J. Knapp, who had previously run for Congress as a Republican in 1936, gathered enough signatures to challenge Ammons for renomination. Despite being entirely unknown,^[3] Knapp held Ammons to just 62% of the vote, winning several counties through the state and triggering speculation as to the nature of Ammons's weak performance.^[4]

Results

Democratic primary results^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Teller Ammons (inc.)	67,992	62.41
	Democratic	George J. Knapp	40,948	37.59
Total votes			108,940	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Ralph Lawrence Carr, former United States Attorney for the District of Colorado

Dropped out

• Charles M. Armstrong, former Colorado State Treasurer, 1936 Republican nominee for Governor
• Benjamin Snodgrass, Denver coal operator

Campaign

In the leadup to the state Republican convention, the two frontrunners for the nomination for Governor appeared to be former State Treasurer Charles M. Armstrong, who had run unsuccessfully as the party's nominee in 1936, and coal operator Benjamin Snodgrass, who was supported by former Senator Lawrence C. Phipps and his allies. However, party leaders were angling for a third candidate and considered former State Senator Nate C. Warren, Colorado Springs Mayor George Birdsall, and former U.S. Attorney Ralph Carr. All alternative candidacies were declined or scuttled, but Carr ultimately changed his mind and sought the nomination. In the face of the unified front in favor of Carr, Armstrong withdrew at the convention.^[6] And though Snodgrass won enough votes to secure a place on the primary election ballot, he ultimately withdrew from the race as well, allowing Carr to be nominated unopposed.^[7]

Results

Republican primary results^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ralph L. Carr	61,724	100.00
Total votes			61,724	100.00

General election

Results

1938 United States Senate election in Colorado^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Ralph L. Carr	255,159	55.82%	+12.17%
	Democratic	Teller Ammons (inc.)	199,562	43.66%	−10.91%
	Union	Jack R. White	1,262	0.28%	+0.11%
	Royal Way	Harvey L. Mayfield	1,140	0.25%	+0.21%
Majority			55,597	12.16%	+1.24%
Turnout			457,123
	Republican gain from Democratic

References

1. "Political Notes". Steamboat Pilot. Steamboat Springs, Colorado. July 21, 1938. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
2. Swain, Alva A. (July 28, 1938). "Under the Capitol Dome". Steamboat Pilot. Steamboat Springs, Colorado. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
3. "Primary Election Creates Little Interest Throughout State". Oak Creek Times. Oak Creek, Colorado. September 15, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
4. Kimball, Neil West (September 22, 1938). "Capitol Comment". Colorado Transcript. Golden, Colorado. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
5. Saunders, George E. (1938). State of Colorado Abstract of Votes Cast at the Primary Election Held on the Thirteenth Day of September, A. D. 1938 and at the General Election Held on the Eighth Day of November, A. D. 1938 (PDF). Denver, Colorado: Colorado Secretary of State.
6. Kimball, Neil West (August 11, 1938). "Capitol Comment". Steamboat Pilot. Steamboat Springs, Colorado. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
7. Swain, Alva A. (August 18, 1938). "Under the Capitol Dome". Steamboat Pilot. Steamboat Springs, Colorado. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2022.