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The 1948 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 2, 1948. Incumbent Republican Senator Edward H. Moore declined to run for re-election. A crowded Democratic primary, including the former Governor, multiple members of Congress, and several statewide elected officials, developed; former Governor Robert S. Kerr won a slim plurality in the initial primary and then defeated former Congressman Gomer Smith by a wide margin in the runoff. On the Republican side, Congressman Ross Rizley had an easy path to the nomination. Kerr defeated Rizley in a landslide, largely similar to President Harry S. Truman's landslide victory in Oklahoma over Republican presidential nominee Thomas E. Dewey.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Robert S. Kerr, former Governor of Oklahoma
- Gomer Smith, former U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district
- Mac Q. Williamson, Attorney General of Oklahoma[1]
- O. J. Fox, pension organizer[1]
- Glen D. Johnson, U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma's 4th congressional district
- Wilburn Cartwright, Oklahoma Secretary of State
- James E. Berry, Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
- Fletcher Riley, Justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court
- C. A. Gentry
- L. G. Burt
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert S. Kerr | 135,878 | 37.41% | |
| Democratic | Gomer Smith | 73,511 | 20.24% | |
| Democratic | Mac Q. Williamson | 48,670 | 13.40% | |
| Democratic | O. J. Fox | 35,817 | 9.86 | |
| Democratic | Glen D. Johnson | 24,513 | 6.75% | |
| Democratic | Wilburn Cartwright | 19,153 | 5.27% | |
| Democratic | James E. Berry | 17,201 | 4.74% | |
| Democratic | Fletcher Riley | 3,721 | 1.02% | |
| Democratic | C. A. Gentry | 2,738 | 0.75% | |
| Democratic | L. G. Burt | 2,022 | 0.56% | |
| Total votes | 363,224 | 100.00% | ||
Runoff election results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert S. Kerr | 168,861 | 57.56% | |
| Democratic | Gomer Smith | 124,519 | 42.44% | |
| Total votes | 293,380 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Ross Rizley, U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma's 8th congressional district
- Henry J. Wallace
- Frank A. Anderson
- Homer Cowan
- Joseph Holt
- Rexford B. Cragg
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ross Rizley | 29,659 | 68.42% | |
| Republican | Henry J. Wallace | 3,429 | 7.91% | |
| Republican | Frank A. Anderson | 3,119 | 7.20% | |
| Republican | Homer Cowan | 2,985 | 6.89% | |
| Republican | Joseph Holt | 2,307 | 5.32% | |
| Republican | Rexford B. Cragg | 1,850 | 4.27% | |
| Total votes | 43,349 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert S. Kerr | 441,654 | 62.30% | +17.54% | |
| Republican | Ross Rizley | 265,169 | 37.40% | -17.42% | |
| Independent | W. O. Pratt | 2,108 | 0.30% | — | |
| Majority | 176,485 | 24.89% | +14.82% | ||
| Turnout | 708,931 | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
References
- ^ a b "Williaimson, O. J. Fox in Senate Race". Frederick Leader. Frederick, Okla. May 1, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "1946-1950 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
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