1938 Idaho gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1938 United States gubernatorial elections.

1938 Idaho gubernatorial election

November 8, 1938

Nominee C. A. Bottolfsen C. Ben Ross Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 106,268 77,697 Percentage 57.30% 41.89%

County results Bottolfsen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Ross:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Barzilla Clark Democratic Elected Governor C. A. Bottolfsen Republican

The 1938 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 8. Incumbent Democratic governor Barzilla Clark ran for re-election, but was defeated in the August primary by former three-term governor C. Ben Ross. The general election was won by Republican nominee C. A. Bottolfsen, who received 57.30% of the vote.[1]

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 9, 1938.[2][3]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• C. Ben Ross, Parma, former governor (three terms)
• Barzilla Clark, Idaho Falls, incumbent governor
• Charles Gossett, Nampa, lieutenant governor
• W. P. Whitaker, Pocatello

Republican primary

Candidates

• C. A. Bottolfsen, Arco newspaper publisher
• R. H. Young, Parma farmer

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• C. A. Bottolfsen, Republican
• C. Ben Ross, Democratic

Other candidates

• R. B. Wilson, Independent

Results

1938 Idaho gubernatorial election[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	C. A. Bottolfsen	106,268	57.30%
	Democratic	C. Ben Ross	77,697	41.89%
	Independent	R. B. Wilson	1,494	0.81%
Majority			28,571
Turnout
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

References

1. "Democrat rule rudely shaken". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. November 10, 1938. p. 1.
2. "Clark forges to front in Idaho Senate primary". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. August 10, 1938. p. 1.
3. "Loyal New Deal senator loses Idaho primary race". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. August 11, 1938. p. 1.
4. Cook, Rhodes (November 5, 2013). America Votes 30: 2011-2012, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. CQ Press. ISBN 9781452290171. Retrieved May 8, 2020.