Tade defeated incumbent Frank Falconer and another candidate with a solid majority to pick up the seat for his party, the election saw Social Credit sweep to power to form government.
A hotly contested nomination race ensued between Tade and Reed Dorry whom the Social Credit party felt to be a Communist and had the backing of 150 supporters.
[5] Tade was chosen as the candidate by members of the selection committee on October 18, 1938 at a meeting held in his home town of Colinton, Alberta.
[6] In the by-election campaign Tade won the two race with a solid margin of victory on November 7, 1938 to return to the Legislature.
[7] The early results from the northern part of the riding in the race initially had Liberal candidate Whitley leading by a very close margin.