 The Democrats <unk> <unk> without opposition in 1920 . His opponent in the general election was Republican Richard P. Ernst . Prohibition had destroyed the <unk> industry and the saloon business in the state , and in areas where these industries were prominent <unk> received more than 5 @,@ 000 fewer votes than Democratic presidential nominee James M. Cox . He was also hurt by the women 's vote and by his support of President Wilson , who had lost popularity since <unk> 's election in 1914 . Ernst won the election by fewer than 5 @,@ 000 votes , winning the race with 50 @.@ 3 percent of the vote to <unk> 's 49 @.@ 7 percent . During his single term in the Senate <unk> served alongside three other U.S. Senators from Kentucky : <unk> M. James , George B. Martin and Augustus O. Stanley . 
