1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota

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.^[1] The contest effectively sidelined Democratic nominee J. J. Nygaard,^[2] and the contest between Nye and Langer devolved into sharp disagreements about the United States's foreign affairs.^[1] 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.

1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Gerald Nye William Langer J. J. Nygaard Party Republican Independent Democratic Popular vote 131,907 112,007 19,244 Percentage 50.12% 42.56% 7.31%

County results Nye:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70% Langer:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Gerald Nye Republican Elected U.S. Senator Gerald Nye Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

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

Results

Democratic primary^[3]

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			38,861	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

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

Results

Republican primary^[3]

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

General election

Results

1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota^[4]

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			19,900	7.56%	−37.29%
Turnout			263,158
	Republican hold

References

1. "Langer Announces Independent Race for U.S. Senator". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. September 29, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
2. "Watching the Political Parade". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. October 26, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
3. "Primary Election 06-28-1938" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
4. "General Election 11-08-1938" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.