1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota

1938 United States Senate election in North Dakota

← 1932 November 8, 1938 1944 →
 
Nominee Gerald Nye William Langer J. J. Nygaard
Party Republican Independent Democratic
Popular vote 131,907 112,007 19,244
Percentage 50.12% 42.56% 7.31%

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.

  1. ^ a b "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.