In the runup to the 1948 campaign season, the news media speculated that Fatland might be a good candidate to fill eastern Oregon’s congressional seat if Lowell Stockman decided to retire."This is a Political Year", Hepner Gazette Times, Heppner, Oregon, January 8, 1948, p. 2. However, Fatland decided to run for re-election in senate District 18."50 Filings Precede Final Avalanche; Junction City Man in Governor Race", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, March 12, 1948, p. 1. Stewart Hardie of Condon also filed for the District 18 senate seat as a Republican."Nine Incumbents File for New Term in Senate; Deaths Cause of 3 Vacancies; 12 Holdovers", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, March 14, 1948, p. 15. In May, Hardie defeated Fatland in the Republican primary."New Faces in Legislature", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, May 23, 1948, p. 14.
