The 1938 United States Senate elections occurred in the middle of Franklin D. Roosevelt's second term. The 32 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. The Republicans gained eight seats from the Democrats, though this occurred after multiple Democratic gains since the 1932 elections. As a result, despite the Republican gains, the Democrats retained a commanding lead over them with more than two-thirds of the legislative chamber. However, there were around twenty unreliable Democratic votes for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which allowed the conservatives to block some of his policies.
Events of the election
A contemporary account cited a number of reasons for the losses suffered by the Democrats. The Recession of 1937–1938 had continued into the first half of 1938 and had arguably weakened public confidence in the administration's New Deal economic policies, along with controversy over the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937, Roosevelt's "court-packing" plan. More broadly, Roosevelt had faced opposition from the conservative Democrats and the Republicans in Congress since the beginning of his presidency, with Vice President John Nance Garner making a push for Roosevelt to support more conservative policies.
There were, in addition, strains between the more liberal New Deal supporters and the conservative wing of the Democratic party centered in the Southern United States, which were exacerbated by an effort led by Roosevelt to target certain conservative senators for defeat in Democratic primaries, including Walter George of Georgia, Millard Tydings of Maryland, Robert Rice Reynolds of North Carolina, and Ellison Smith of South Carolina. While a number of New Deal supporters won primary elections, such as Alben Barkley in Kentucky, who defeated Governor Happy Chandler, James P. Pope of Idaho, a prominent New Deal supporter, lost his bid for re-nomination, as did California's William McAdoo — though McAdoo's Democratic opponent, Sheridan Downey, had campaigned as a liberal New Dealer on many issues who would also do more to improve pension plans.
The National Progressives of America emerged out of the Wisconsin Progressive Party as a national party on April 18, 1938.
Gains, losses, and holds
Retirements
One Democrat retired instead of seeking re-election, one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and election to a full term.
Defeats
Seven Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election. One Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the primary election and one Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary election.
Death
One Democrat died on June 17, 1938, and his seat remained vacant until the election.
Race summaries
Special elections during the 75th Congress
In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1938 or before January 3, 1939; ordered by election date.
Races leading to the 76th Congress
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1939; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.
Closest races
Thirteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:
There is no tipping point state.
Alabama
There were 2 elections due to the August 19, 1937, resignation of two-term Democrat Hugo Black. Democrat Dixie Bibb Graves was appointed August 20, 1937 (by her husband, the governor) to finish Black's term.
Alabama (special)
After congressman J. Lister Hill won the January 4, 1938, Democratic primary, Graves resigned and Hill was appointed to continue the term until the April 26, 1938, special election, which he won unopposed.
Hill was then easily re-elected in November to the next term.
Arizona
Incumbent Democrat Carl Hayden was re-elected to a third term, defeating Republican nominee Burt H. Clingan, chairman of the Arizona Industrial Commission, in the general election.
In contrast to previous elections, Hayden was easily reelected, receiving only token opposition from a relatively unknown Republican challenger.
Illinois
Incumbent Democrat William H. Dieterich retired, making this an open-seat.
Kansas
This is the last time that a Senator from Kansas lost re-election. Republicans have not lost a Senate election in the state since.
New York
There were 2 elections due to the June 17, 1938, death of three-term Democrat Royal S. Copeland.
New York (regular)
New York Republicans nominated John Lord O'Brian for the U.S. Senate. Democrats re-nominated the incumbent Wagner. The American Labor Party endorsed Wagner.
New York (special)
New York Republicans nominated Edward Corsi for the short term to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Royal S. Copeland. Democrats nominated James M. Mead. The American Labor party endorsed Mead.
Oregon
There were 2 elections for the same seat, due to the January 31, 1938, resignation of two-term Republican Frederick Steiwer. Democratic businessman Alfred E. Reames was appointed February 1, 1938, to continue the term, pending a special election, but he did not run in either the special or the general elections.
Oregon (special)
Republican Alexander G. Barry was elected to finish the term, but was not a candidate for the next term.
South Dakota
There were 2 elections for the same seat due to the December 20, 1936, death of three-term Republican Peter Norbeck. Democrat Herbert Hitchcock was appointed December 29, 1936, to continue the term, pending a special election.
South Dakota (regular)
Hitchcock lost the Democratic May 3, 1938, primary for the next term to Governor of South Dakota Tom Berry.