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.
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 Results by county Adams: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Lee: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Democratic primary
editCandidates
edit- Alva B. Adams, incumbent U.S. Senator
- Benjamin C. Hilliard, Colorado Supreme Court Justice, former U.S. Congressman
Campaign
editEarly 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
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Alva B. Adams (inc.) | 92,006 | 100.00 | |
| Total votes | 92,006 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
editCandidates
edit- Archibald A. Lee, Denver attorney
Campaign
editDespite 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
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Archibald A. Lee | 57,410 | 100.00 | |
| Total votes | 57,410 | 100.00 | ||
General election
editResults
edit| 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
edit- ^ Kimball, Neil West (June 15, 1938). "Capitol Comment". Craig Empire Courier. Craig, Colorado. p. 3. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ "Ammons and Adams Have No Opposition". Eagle Valley Enterprise. Eagle, Colorado. July 29, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kimball, Neil West (June 30, 1938). "Capitol Comment". Colorado Transcript. Golden, Colorado. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
- ^ "Republicans Named a Full State Ticket at State Assembly". Wray Rattler. Wray, Colorado. August 11, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.