1938 United States Senate election in California
Nominee
Sheridan Downey
Philip Bancroft
Party
Democratic
Republican
Alliance
Progressive Townsend
Popular vote
1,372,314
1,126,240
Percentage
54.43%
44.67%
U.S. senator before election
William Gibbs McAdoo
Democratic
Elected U.S. Senator
Sheridan Downey
Democratic
The 1938 United States Senate election in California was held on November 2, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator William Gibbs McAdoo was defeated by Sheridan Downey in the Democratic primary. Downey went on to defeat Philip Bancroft in the general election.
Democratic primary [ ]
Candidates [ ]
Sheridan Downey , nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 and leader in the End Poverty in California movement
William Gibbs McAdoo , incumbent Senator
James W. Mellen
John W. Preston, former Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)
Campaign [ ]
Senator McAdoo had the support of President Franklin Roosevelt and George Creel .
Downey was supported by his 1932 running mate Upton Sinclair and pensioner advocate Francis Townsend .
Results [ ]
Republican primary [ ]
Candidates [ ]
Philip Bancroft, founding member of the Bull Moose Party
Ray Riley, State Controller since 1921
Louise Ward Watkins , community activist from Pasadena
Results [ ]
Although he did not cross-file to appear on the ballot, Sheridan Downey did receive write-in votes.
Progressive primary [ ]
Candidates [ ]
Paul H. Bruns
Sheridan Downey, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 (cross-filing)
Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)
Results [ ]
Townsend Party primary [ ]
Candidates [ ]
Sheridan Downey, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 1932 (cross-filing)
Ray Riley, State Controller (cross-filing)
Results [ ]
General election [ ]
Results [ ]
See also [ ]
1938 United States Senate elections
References [ ]
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