1938 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

1938 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

November 8, 1938

Nominee Leon C. Phillips Ross Rizley Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 355,740 148,861 Percentage 70.0% 29.3%

County results Phillips:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Rizley:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election E. W. Marland Democratic Elected Governor Leon C. Phillips Democratic

The 1938 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1938, and was a race for Governor of Oklahoma. Democrat Leon 'Red' Phillips defeated Republican former State Senator Ross Rizley. Also on the ballot were John Wesley Lanham of the Prohibition Party and Independent John Franing.^[1] This election is the last time an alternative party has had a primary for governor in Oklahoma, as the Prohibitionists chose Francis Simpson over Ralph Butterfield, but Simpson then withdrew and the party placed Lanham on the ballot as a replacement.^[2]

Democratic primary

Nine candidates vied for the Democratic nomination, including former governors Alfalfa Bill Murray and Jack C. Walton. With the elimination of the runoff primary, Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Red Phillips eked out a narrow win over W. S. Key.

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Leon C. Phillips	179,139	30.1
	Democratic	William S. Key	176,034	29.6
	Democratic	William H. Murray	148,395	24.9
	Democratic	Jack C. Walton	45,760	7.7
	Democratic	Ira M. Finley	37,107	6.2
	Democratic	William M. Edwards	2,557	0.4
	Democratic	John W. Davis	2,205	0.3
	Democratic	J. M. Cole	1,410	0.2
	Democratic	T. W. Bickel	1,088	0.1
Total votes			593,695	100.00

Republican primary

Future Congressman Ross Rizley defeated two challengers by a wide margin to claim the GOP nomination.

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ross Rizley	24,198	46.0
	Republican	Harry E. Ingram	15,460	29.4
	Republican	Joseph Dickerson	12,890	24.5
Total votes			52,548	100.00

Prohibition primary

Francis Simpson defeated Ralph Butterfield in the primary but then withdrew. John Wesley Lanham of Bethany was named as a replacement candidate.^[2] This was the only alternative party gubernatorial primary in Oklahoma until 2018.

Results

Prohibition primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Prohibition	Francis M. Simpson	98	57.6
	Prohibition	Ralph M. Butterfield	72	42.3
Total votes			170	100.00

Results

1938 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Leon C. Phillips	355,740	70.0%	+11.8%
	Republican	Ross Rizley	148,861	29.3%	−9.5%
	Prohibition	John Wesley Lanham	2,579	0.5%	New
	Independent	John Franing	776	0.1%	+0.1%
Majority
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing	+11.8%

References

1. "1934-1938 results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. pp. 46, 53, 55, 56.
2. Krehbiel, Randy (July 30, 2017). "Race for governor already crowned". Tulsa World – via PressReader.