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1938 United States Senate elections in South Dakota

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →

Nominee Chan Gurney Tom Berry Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 146,813 133,064 Percentage 52.46% 47.54%

County results Gurney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Berry:      50–60%      60–70% No Vote:

U.S. senator before election Herbert E. Hitchcock Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Chan Gurney Republican

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v t e

The 1938 United States Senate elections in South Dakota took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Republican Senator Peter Norbeck died in office on December 20, 1936. Herbert E. Hitchcock was appointed by Governor Tom Berry as Norbeck's replacement. Two elections for the same Senate seat were held on the same day; one as a special election to fill the remainder of Norbeck's six-year term, and another to select a Senator to serve the next six-year term.

In the regularly scheduled election, Hitchcock ran for election for a full term, but was overwhelmingly defeated in the Democratic primary by former Governor Berry. In the Republican primary, businessman Chan Gurney won a slim plurality in a crowded primary. Gurney narrowly defeated Berry to win his first of two terms in the Senate. In the special election for the final few months of Norbeck's term, former Secretary of State Gladys Pyle won the Republican nomination unopposed, and Thomas W. Crawford won the Democratic nomination unopposed. However, following Crawford's death, the state Democratic Party named John T. McCullen as its replacement nominee. Pyle defeated McCullen in a landslide, becoming the first woman to represent South Dakota in the United States Senate.

Democratic primary

Regular election

Candidates

• Tom Berry, former Governor of South Dakota
• Fred H. Hildebrandt, U.S. Congressman from South Dakota's 1st congressional district
• Herbert E. Hitchcock, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Special election

Thomas M. Crawford was the only Democratic candidate to file for the special election, thereby removing the primary election from the ballot and granting him the nomination by default. However, after the primary election took place, Crawford died. The Democratic Party of South Dakota named John T. McCullen, a former State Senator from Hand County, as its replacement nominee.

Republican primary

Regular election

Candidates

• Chan Gurney, businessman
• Leslie Jensen, Governor of South Dakota
• George J. Danforth, former State Senator, 1926 Republican candidate for U.S. Senate
• Paul E. Bellamy, businessman

Results

Special election

Former Secretary of State Gladys Pyle announced that she would run for the Republican nomination for the special election. She, like Crawford, won the Republican nomination unopposed and the race did not appear on the primary election ballot.

General election

Results

Regular election

Special election

References

1. ^ Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 628.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
2. ^ "23 Candidates Qualify For Major State And National Offices: Fights Develop for All Posts; Drawing Monday". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. April 3, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
3. "J. T. McCullen". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
4. "Vacancies on Demo Ticket Are Filled Today". Lead Daily Call. Lead, S.D. August 1, 1938. p. 3. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
5. "George Johnathan Danforth". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
6. "Bellamy Still Considers Running for Senate Post". Lead Daily Call. Lead, S.D. February 1, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
7. "Gladys Pyle Seeks Short Senate Term". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. February 23, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2021.

• United States Senate elections in South Dakota
• United States Senate special elections
• Special elections to the 75th United States Congress
• South Dakota special elections
• 1938 United States Senate elections
• 1938 South Dakota elections