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1938 United States Senate election in Colorado

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1938 United States Senate election in Colorado

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1942 (special) →
 
Nominee Alva B. Adams Archibald A. Lee
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 262,806 181,297
Percentage 58.24% 40.18%

Results by county
Adams:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Lee:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Alva B. Adams
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Alva B. Adams
Democratic

The 1938 United States Senate election in Colorado took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Senator Alva B. Adams ran for re-election to a second term. Adams faced Denver attorney Archibald A. Lee, the Republican nominee, in the general election. Despite the nationwide Republican landslide, including Republicans' landslide victory in the gubernatorial election that year, Adams's popularity translated into an easy re-election campaign. Adams ended up defeating Lee with 58% of the vote. However, Adams did not end up fully serving his second term; he died on December 1, 1941.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Campaign

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Early speculation swirled that State Supreme Court Justice Benjamin C. Hilliard would challenge Senator Alva B. Adams in the Democratic primary over Adams's tepid support for the New Deal.[1] Hilliard allowed his name to be placed into nomination at the state Democratic convention, but he failed to receive enough votes to be placed on the primary ballot.[2] As a result, Adams was nominated unopposed in the primary.

Results

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Democratic primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alva B. Adams (inc.) 92,006 100.00
Total votes 92,006 100.00

Republican primary

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Candidates

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  • Archibald A. Lee, Denver attorney

Campaign

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Despite the nationwide trend in favor of Republicans, few were interested in challenging Senator Adams for re-election. In the leadup to the Republican convention, attorneys Archibald A. Lee and John R. Coen were discussed as possibilities,[4] but in the end, only Lee opted to run. He was nominated at the convention unopposed and was uncontested in the primary election.[5]

Results

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Republican primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Archibald A. Lee 57,410 100.00
Total votes 57,410 100.00

General election

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Results

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1938 United States Senate election in Colorado[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Alva B. Adams (inc.) 262,806 58.24% +6.33%
Republican Archibald A. Lee 181,297 40.18% −5.32%
Socialist Carle Whitehead 3,604 0.80% −1.18%
Independent Progressive James Allander 3,522 0.78%
Majority 81,509 18.06% +11.65%
Turnout 451,229
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ Kimball, Neil West (June 15, 1938). "Capitol Comment". Craig Empire Courier. Craig, Colorado. p. 3. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. ^ "Ammons and Adams Have No Opposition". Eagle Valley Enterprise. Eagle, Colorado. July 29, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Saunders, George E. (1938). State of Colorado Abstract of Votes Cast at the Primary Election Held on the Thirteenth Day of September, A. D. 1938 and at the General Election Held on the Eighth Day of November, A. D. 1938 (PDF). Denver, Colorado: Colorado Secretary of State.
  4. ^ Kimball, Neil West (June 30, 1938). "Capitol Comment". Colorado Transcript. Golden, Colorado. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  5. ^ "Republicans Named a Full State Ticket at State Assembly". Wray Rattler. Wray, Colorado. August 11, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.