1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota

1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota
	County results; Nye: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% ; Langer: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70%
U.S. senator before election; Gerald Nye; Republican	Elected U.S. Senator ; Gerald Nye; Republican

The 1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Republican Senator Gerald Nye ran for re-election to his third term. He faced a strong challenge in the Republican primary from colorful Governor William Langer, but narrowly won renomination. Langer subsequently ran as an independent against Nye in the general election, and won the endorsement of the Nonpartisan League.^[1] The contest effectively sidelined Democratic nominee J. J. Nygaard,^[2] and the contest between Nye and Langer devolved into sharp disagreements about the United States's foreign affairs.^[1] Nye ultimately defeated Langer by a wide margin—winning 50% of the vote to Langer's 43%—but significantly reduced from his 1932 and 1926 landslides.

Democratic primary[edit]

Candidates[edit]

J. J. Nygaard, 1936 Democratic congressional candidate
Halvor L. Halvorson, perennial candidate
B. A. Johansson

Results[edit]

Democratic primary^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	J. J. Nygaard	27,981	72.00%
	Democratic	Halvor L. Halvorson	8,335	21.45%
	Democratic	B. A. Johansson	2,545	6.55%
Total votes			38,861	100.00%

Republican primary[edit]

Candidates[edit]

Gerald Nye, incumbent U.S. Senator
William Langer, Governor of North Dakota

Results[edit]

Republican primary^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Gerald Nye (inc.)	91,510	51.45%
	Republican	William Langer	86,359	48.55%
Total votes			177,869	100.00%

General election[edit]

Results[edit]

1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota^[4]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Gerald Nye (inc.)	131,907	50.12%	-22.18%
	Independent	William Langer	112,007	42.56%	—
	Democratic	J. J. Nygaard	19,244	7.31%	-20.14%
Majority			19,900	7.56%	-37.29%
Turnout			263,158
	Republican hold

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b "Langer Announces Independent Race for U.S. Senator". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. September 29, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
^ "Watching the Political Parade". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. October 26, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Primary Election 06-28-1938" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
^ "General Election 11-08-1938" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.

[Langer-1] "Langer Announces Independent Race for U.S. Senator". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. September 29, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.

[2] "Watching the Political Parade". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, N.D. October 26, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.

[1938_primary-3] "Primary Election 06-28-1938" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.

[4] "General Election 11-08-1938" (PDF). Secretary of State of North Dakota. Retrieved June 19, 2021.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

v t e Elections in North Dakota
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See also: Political party strength in North Dakota

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