1944 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

The 1944 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 7, 1944. Incumbent Democratic Senator Elmer Thomas ran for re-election to a fourth term. Thomas once again faced a stiff challenge in the Democratic primary, this time from Congressman Wesley E. Disney and Lieutenant Governor James E. Berry. As was the case in 1938, Thomas won renomination only with a narrow plurality. In the general election, he faced former State Senator William J. Otjen, the 1942 Republican nominee for Governor. Though Thomas's performance was much reduced compared to six years prior, he still defeated Otjen by a wide margin.

1944 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1938 November 7, 1944 1950 →

Nominee Elmer Thomas William J. Otjen Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 390,851 309,222 Percentage 55.65% 44.02%

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

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Elmer Thomas, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Wesley E. Disney, U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma's 1st congressional district
• James E. Berry, Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
• Elmer Fraker
• Fletcher S. Riley
• A. F. Shaw
• Dan Nelson
• Charles West
• Lily Allen Lasley
• Lattie Hughes

Results

Democratic primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas (inc.)	85,672	36.30%
	Democratic	Wesley E. Disney	64,322	33.75%
	Democratic	James E. Berry	62,244	26.37%
	Democratic	Elmer Fraker	5,810	2.46%
	Democratic	Fletcher S. Riley	4,835	2.05%
	Democratic	A. F. Shaw	4,786	2.03%
	Democratic	Dan Nelson	2,725	1.15%
	Democratic	Charles West	2,304	0.98%
	Democratic	Lily Allen Lasley	1,963	0.83%
	Democratic	Lattie Hughes	138	0.57%
Total votes			235,999	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• William J. Otjen, former State Senator, 1942 Republican nominee for Governor^[2]
• Pat W. Murphy, Cushing clergyman^[2]
• Harry O. Glasser, former State Senator, 1938 Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate^[3]
• O. O. Owens
• Frank A. Anderson
• Fred E. Pickard
• John M. Claypool
• S. M. Stauffer
• Sim L. Liles

Results

Republican primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William J. Otjen	21,970	50.53%
	Republican	Pat W. Murphy	7,340	16.88%
	Republican	Harry O. Glasser	6,169	14.19%
	Republican	O. O. Owens	2,791	6.42%
	Republican	Frank A. Anderson	2,009	4.62%
	Republican	Fred E. Pickard	1,137	2.61%
	Republican	John M. Claypool	887	2.04%
	Republican	S. M. Stauffer	811	1.87%
	Republican	Sim L. Liles	368	0.85%
Total votes			43,482	100.00%

General election

Results

1944 United States Senate election in Oklahoma^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas (inc.)	390,851	55.65%	−9.72%
	Republican	William J. Otjen	309,222	44.02%	+10.11%
	Independent	Paul V. Beck	1,128	0.16%	—
	Independent	T. B. Williams	674	0.10%	—
	Independent	Paul R. Nagle	519	0.07%	—
Majority			81,629	11.62%	−19.84%
Turnout			702,394
	Democratic hold

References

1. "1934-1938 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
2. "GOP Senatorial Scramble Seen: Lew Wentz Leaves Field Wide Open". Okmulgee Daily Times. Okmulgee, Okla. February 10, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
3. "Glasser First GOP Candidate". Okmulgee Daily Times. Okmulgee, Okla. February 17, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.