The United States Senate election in California of 1940 was held on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Republican Senator Hiram Johnson was re-elected to his fifth term in office, though he would die in office in 1945.
By cross-filing and winning the Democratic and Progressive primaries, Johnson eliminated his strongest competition and handily won the general election with only nominal opposition from the Prohibition Party.
Primaries
Primaries were held on August 27.
Republican primary
Candidates
John Anson Ford, member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for District 3 (cross-filing) Hiram Johnson, incumbent Senator Ellis E. Patterson, Lieutenant Governor (cross-filing) Sam Yorty, State Assemblyman (cross-filing)
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
John Anson Ford, member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for District 3 Hiram Johnson, incumbent Senator (cross-filing) James D. Meredith Richard S. Otto Ellis E. Patterson, Lieutenant Governor Sam Yorty, State Assemblyman
Results
Progressive primary
Candidates
Hiram Johnson, incumbent Senator (cross-filing) Richard S. Otto
Results
Prohibition primary
Candidates
Fred Dyster
Hiram Johnson, incumbent Senator (write-in)
Results
Third parties and independents
Communist
Anita Whitney, women's rights activist, perennial candidate, and member of the Field family
Independent
A write-in bid was launched in support of John Anson Ford.