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1940 United States Senate election in Arizona

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United States Senate election in Arizona, 1940

← 1934 November 3, 1940 1946 →
 
Nominee Ernest McFarland Irving A. Jennings, Sr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 101,495 29,657
Percentage 71.61% 27.98%

U.S. senator before election

Henry F. Ashurst
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ernest McFarland
Democratic

The 1940 United States Senate elections in Arizona took place on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Henry F. Ashurst ran for reelection to a sixth term, but was defeated in the Democratic primary to challenger Ernest McFarland.

The twenty-eight-year Democratic incumbent, Henry F. Ashurst, appeared to be unbeatable and did not launch an aggressive campaign to retain his seat. While Ashurst remained in Washington, D.C., McFarland canvassed the state, giving speeches on water issues and World War II in Europe. By a three-to-one margin, he defeated Ashurst in the primary and went on to win the general election, defeating Republican challenger Irving A. Jennings.

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Henry F. Ashurst, incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Ernest McFarland, assistant attorney general of Arizona, judge of the superior court of Pinal County
  • Henderson Stockton
  • Robert E. Miller, candidate for U.S. Senate in 1938
  • Erwin H. Karz, attorney

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ernest McFarland 63,353 56.64%
Democratic Henry F. Ashurst 37,955 33.93%
Democratic Henderson Stockton 5,220 4.67%
Democratic Robert E. Miller 4,306 3.85%
Democratic Erwin H. Karz 1,022 0.91%
Total votes 111,856 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Irving A. Jennings, Sr.
  • Burt H. Clingan, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1938

Results

Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Irving A. Jennings, Sr. 5,487 57.46%
Republican Burt H. Clingan 4,062 42.54%
Total votes 9,549 100.00

General election

United States Senate election in Arizona, 1940[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ernest McFarland 101,495 71.61%
Republican Irving A. Jennings, Sr. 39,657 27.98%
Prohibition A. Walter Gehres 579 0.41%
Majority 61,838 43.63%
Turnout 141,731
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

See also

References