The 1938 California gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1938. This was the first election since 1894 in which a Democrat was elected Governor of California, as well as the first election since 1882 in which a Democrat won with more than 50% of the vote. Culbert L. Olson had defeated John F. Dockweiler and James Francis Thaddeus O'Connor for the Democratic nomination, while Frank F. Merriam defeated George J. Hatfield for the Republican nomination. This was the last time until Gray Davis in 1998 that a Democrat who was not a member of the Brown family won the governorship.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1938 California gubernatorial election

← 1934 November 8, 1938 1942 →

Nominee Culbert Olson Frank Merriam Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,391,734 1,171,019 Percentage 52.49% 44.17%

County results Olson:      40–50%      50–60% Merriam:      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%

Governor before election Frank Merriam Republican Elected Governor Culbert Olson Democratic

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