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{{cquote|The people of our State will not tolerate . . . any one in public office who will not put his shoulder to the wheel and give his earnest support to the President.|||Gov. Maurice C. Townsend, July 26, 1937}}

{{cquote|The people of our State will not tolerate . . . any one in public office who will not put his shoulder to the wheel and give his earnest support to the President.|||Gov. Maurice C. Townsend, July 26, 1937}}

Roosevelt, seeking to "purge" Democrats he viewed as insufficiently left-wing [[1938 Midterm Elections|the midterm cycle]], backed efforts to oust Van Nuys. However, the Indiana senator, who "knew the rank & file of the McNutt-Townsend machine," publicly proclaimed an ultimatum to run as an independent candidate if denied the Democratic renomination, wherein he could split the party vote and facilitate a Republican victory.<ref name=time/> Gov. Townsend several weeks later backtracked, inviting Van Nuys as a candidate for renomination to an "open" state convention, and ultimately won reelection despite McNutt's primary challenge from the left backed by Roosevelt.

Roosevelt, seeking to "purge" Democrats he viewed as insufficiently left-wing [[1938 Midterm Elections|the midterm cycle]], backed efforts to oust Van Nuys. However, the Indiana senator, who "knew the rank & file of the McNutt-Townsend machine," publicly proclaimed an ultimatum to run as an independent candidate if denied the Democratic renomination, wherein he could split the party vote and facilitate a Republican victory.<ref name=time/> Gov. Townsend several weeks later backtracked, inviting Van Nuys as a candidate for renomination to an "open" state convention, and ultimately won reelection despite McNutt's primary challenge from the left backed by Roosevelt. ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported:<ref>July 6, 1938. [https://www.nytimes.com/1938/07/06/archives/swing-to-van-nuys-foe-of-court-plan-his-indiana-rivals-following.html SWING TO VAN NUYS, FOE OF COURT PLAN; His Indiana Rivals, Following Governor's Lead, Back Him for Democratic Convention See Astrologer, Says President SWING TO VAN NUYS GAINS MOMENTUM]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved May 20, 2023.</ref>

In the general election, Van Nuys faced Republican opponent Raymond E. Willis, edging out a narrow victory by just over 5,000 votes despite a Republican wave the midterm cycle.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=262061 IN US Senate Race - Nov 08, 1938]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 20, 2023.</ref> Two months after submitting his credentials and being sworn in, Willis filed a contest alleging irregularities, such as voting machine tampering and voting by improperly registered individuals, though clarified that Van Nuys himself had no activity in [[election fraud]].<ref name=electioncase>[https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/electing-appointing-senators/contested-senate-elections/122Willis_Nuys.htm The Election Case of Raymond E. Willis v. Frederick Van Nuys of Indiana (1939)]. ''United States Senate''. Retrieved May 20, 2023.</ref>

In the general election, Van Nuys faced Republican opponent Raymond E. Willis, edging out a narrow victory by just over 5,000 votes despite a Republican wave the midterm cycle.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=262061 IN US Senate Race - Nov 08, 1938]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 20, 2023.</ref> Two months after submitting his credentials and being sworn in, Willis filed a contest alleging irregularities, such as voting machine tampering and voting by improperly registered individuals, though clarified that Van Nuys himself had no activity in [[election fraud]].<ref name=electioncase>[https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/electing-appointing-senators/contested-senate-elections/122Willis_Nuys.htm The Election Case of Raymond E. Willis v. Frederick Van Nuys of Indiana (1939)]. ''United States Senate''. Retrieved May 20, 2023.</ref>