1940 United States Senate election in Arizona

The 1940 United States Senate elections in Arizona took place on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Henry F. Ashurst ran for reelection to a sixth term, but was defeated in the Democratic primary to challenger Ernest McFarland.

1940 United States Senate election in Arizona

← 1934 November 3, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Ernest McFarland Irving A. Jennings, Sr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 101,495 29,657 Percentage 71.61% 27.98%

County results McFarland:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Henry F. Ashurst Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Ernest McFarland Democratic

The twenty-eight-year Democratic incumbent, Henry F. Ashurst, appeared to be unbeatable and did not launch an aggressive campaign to retain his seat. While Ashurst remained in Washington, D.C., McFarland canvassed the state, giving speeches on water issues and World War II in Europe. He defeated Ashurst in the primary and went on to win the general election, defeating Republican challenger Irving A. Jennings.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Henry F. Ashurst, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Ernest McFarland, assistant attorney general of Arizona, judge of the superior court of Pinal County
• Henderson Stockton
• Robert E. Miller, candidate for U.S. Senate in 1938
• Erwin H. Karz, attorney

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ernest McFarland	63,353	56.64%
	Democratic	Henry F. Ashurst (incumbent)	37,955	33.93%
	Democratic	Henderson Stockton	5,220	4.67%
	Democratic	Robert E. Miller	4,306	3.85%
	Democratic	Erwin H. Karz	1,022	0.91%
Total votes			111,856	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Irving A. Jennings Sr.
• Burt H. Clingan, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1938

Results

Republican primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Irving A. Jennings, Sr.	5,487	57.46%
	Republican	Burt H. Clingan	4,062	42.54%
Total votes			9,549	100.00

General election

United States Senate election in Arizona, 1940^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Ernest McFarland	101,495	71.61%	−0.42%
	Republican	Irving A. Jennings, Sr.	39,657	27.98%	+2.35%
	Prohibition	A. Walter Gehres	579	0.41%
Majority			61,838	43.63%	−2.76%
Turnout			141,731
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• United States Senate elections, 1940 and 1941