The 1948 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 2, 1948, alongside other federal, state, and local elections. The contest was for one of Oklahoma’s two seats in the United States Senate (Class 2).
Background
- The incumbent Democratic Senator, Elmer Thomas, chose to retire rather than seek a fourth term.
- The open seat attracted candidates from the major parties as well as minor‑party and independent contenders.
Major candidates
- Robert S. Kerr – Democratic nominee; former Governor of Oklahoma (1943–1947) and former member of the United States House of Representatives.
- Republican nominee – The Republican candidate in the general election was the party’s officially endorsed contender (name not provided in this summary).
Election results
- Robert S. Kerr (Democratic Party) was elected to the U.S. Senate, securing a decisive majority of the popular vote.
- The Republican candidate received a smaller share of the vote, resulting in a clear Democratic victory.
Significance
- Kerr’s victory continued Democratic dominance of Oklahoma’s Senate seats that had persisted throughout much of the early‑to‑mid‑20th century.
- Kerr would go on to serve three full terms in the Senate, becoming a prominent figure in national agricultural and energy policy.
Aftermath
- Robert S. Kerr was inaugurated as a United States Senator on January 3, 1949.
- The election contributed to the broader 1948 national elections, in which the Democratic Party retained control of both chambers of Congress and secured the presidency with Harry S. Truman.
Note: Specific vote totals and the full name of the Republican nominee are not included in this summary due to limitations of the available source material.
