1938 United States Senate election in Iowa

The 1938 United States Senate election in Iowa took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator Guy M. Gillette, who won a special election to complete the unexpired term of Richard Louis Murphy, won a full term in office by defeating Republican former Senator Lester J. Dickinson. Gillette and Dickinson had briefly served together in the final months of 1936.

1938 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 1936 (special) November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Guy M. Gillette Lester J. Dickinson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 413,788 410,983 Percentage 49.74% 49.41%

County results Gillette:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Dickinson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Guy M. Gillette Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Guy M. Gillette Democratic

Primary elections were held on June 6. Gillette overcame a primary challenge from U.S. Representative Otha Wearin, who was personally recruited by President Franklin D. Roosevelt given Gillette's opposition to New Deal programs.^[1] Dickinson defeated Representative Lloyd Thurston for the Republican nomination.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Wilson G. Byerhoff
• Guy M. Gillette, incumbent Senator since 1936
• Joseph J. Meyers
• Mrs. Ellsworth Richardson
• Otha Wearin, U.S. Representative from Glenwood

Results

1938 Democratic U.S. Senate primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Guy M. Gillette (incumbent)	81,605	51.96%
	Democratic	Otha Wearin	43,044	27.41%
	Democratic	Joseph J. Meyers	17,497	11.14%
	Democratic	Mrs. Ellsworth Richardson	9,445	6.01%
	Democratic	Wilson G. Byerhoff	5,465	3.48%
Total votes			157,056	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Lester J. Dickinson, former U.S. Senator (1931–37)
• Lloyd Thurston, U.S. Representative from Osceola

Results

1938 Republican U.S. Senate primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Lester J. Dickinson	146,764	56.97%
	Republican	Lloyd Thurston	110,847	43.03%
Total votes			257,611	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• G.W. Bauseman (Prohibition)
• George F. Buresh (Farmer-Labor)
• Lester J. Dickinson, former U.S. Senator (1931–37) (Republican)
• Guy M. Gillette, incumbent Senator since 1936 (Democratic)
• Raymond E. Hanke (Progressive)

Results

1938 U.S. Senate election in Iowa^[3][4][5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Guy M. Gillette (incumbent)	413,788	49.74%	2.17
	Republican	Lester J. Dickinson	410.983	49.41%	3.07
	Farmer–Labor	George F. Buresh	4,723	0.57%	1.00
	Progressive Party (United States, 1924–34)	Raymond E. Hanke	1,525	0.18%	N/A
	Prohibition	G. W. Bauseman	820	0.10%	0.01
Total votes			831,839	100.00%

See also

• 1938 United States Senate elections