In the primary election, Roberts defeated Austin Peay narrowly by around 12,000 votes.

His opponent for the nomination was former state legislator Austin Peay.

Roberts gained the support of party bosses E. H. Crump, Hilary Howse, and Nashville Banner publisher E. B. Stahlman,[2] and defeated Peay in the primary by 12,000 votes.

[3] In the general election, Roberts defeated Knoxville judge Hugh B. Lindsay, 98,628 (62.4%) votes to 59,518 (37.6%).

Turnout is believed to have been influenced by that year's flu epidemic.