1938 United States Senate special election in Tennessee

The 1938 United States Senate special election in Tennessee took place on November 8, 1938, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. The special election came upon the death of incumbent Democratic Senator Nathan L. Bachman who had died in office.

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

1938 United States Senate special election in Tennessee

← 1936 November 8, 1938 1942 â†’

Nominee Tom Stewart Harley G. Fowler Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 194,028 72,098 Percentage 70.50% 26.20%

County results Stewart:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Fowler:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Senator before election George L. Berry Democratic Elected Senator Tom Stewart Democratic

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Democratic Governor Gordon Browning appointed George L. Berry after Bachman's death. Berry ran for a full term but was defeated in the Democratic primary to Tom Stewart.^[1] In the general election, Tom Stewart defeated Republican candidate Harvey G. Fowler with 70.5% of the vote.^[2]

Eligible to begin serving immediately, Tom Stewart instead waited until the expiry of his term as district attorney on January 16, 1939, to take his Senate seat.^[3]