The 1938 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1938, and was a race for the Governor of Oklahoma. DemocratLeon 'Red' Phillips defeated Republican former State SenatorRoss Rizley. Also on the ballot were John Wesley Lanham of the Prohibition Party and Independent John Franing. [1] This election is the last time an alternative party has had a primary for governor in Oklahoma, as the Prohibitionists chose Francis Simpson over Ralph Butterfield, but Simpson then withdrew and the party placed Lanham on the ballot as a replacement. [2]
Nine candidates vied for the Democratic nomination, including former governors Alfalfa Bill Murray and Jack C. Walton. With the elimination of the runoff primary, Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Red Phillips eked out a narrow win over W. S. Key.
Francis Simpson defeated Ralph Butterfield in the primary but then withdrew. John Wesley Lanham of Bethany was named as a replacement candidate. [5] This was the only alternative party gubernatorial primary in Oklahoma until 2018.