Key Pittman died on November 10, 1940, just five days after his re-election. The governor appointed Berkeley L. Bunker to complete both the unexpired term ending January 3, 1941 and the new term beginning that same day. The appointment for the new term was valid until a special election was held in 1942.
Source for Popular Vote data: Nevada Secretary of State, comp, "Summary of the Vote," Official Returns of the General Election of 1940 (Carson City: State Printing Office, 1940)