Carl E. Bailey Democratic Carl E. Bailey Democratic The 1938 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on 8 November 1938, in order to elect the Governor of Arkansas.

Incumbent Democratic Governor of Arkansas Carl E. Bailey defeated Republican nominee Charles F.

As Carl E. Bailey received a majority of the votes (51.47%), a run-off was unnecessary.

After his primary loss, Walter S. McNutt ran in the general election as an independent.

On election day, 8 November 1938, Democratic nominee Carl E. Bailey won re-election by a margin of 106,619 votes against his foremost opponent Republican nominee Charles F. Cole, thereby retaining Democratic control over the office of Governor.