1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election
November 5, 1940
 
Nominee Harlan J. Bushfield Lewis W. Bicknell
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 167,686 136,428
Percentage 55.14% 44.86%
County results

Bushfield:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

Bicknell:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor of South Dakota before election

Harlan J. Bushfield
Republican

Elected Governor of South Dakota

Harlan J. Bushfield
Republican

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The 1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Republican Governor Harlan J. Bushfield sought re-election to a second term. After winning the Republican primary by a large margin, he faced Democrat Lewis W. Bicknell, former Day County State's Attorney, in the general election. Though Bushfield underperformed Republican presidential nominee Wendell Willkie, who won the state in a landslide, he nonetheless defeated Bicknell by a wide margin to easily win re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Lewis W. Bicknell, former Day County State's Attorney,[1] former chairman of the State Department of Public Welfare,[2] 1932 Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate[3]
  • Almer O. Steensland, former state representative from Charles Mix County[4]

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lewis W. Bicknell 31,790 60.80%
Democratic Almer O. Steensland 20,500 39.20%
Total votes 52,290 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Harlan J. Bushfield (inc.) 84,992 78.43%
Republican Adolph N. Graff 23,377 21.57%
Total votes 108,369 100.00%

General election

Results

1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Harlan J. Bushfield (inc.) 167,686 55.14% +1.19%
Democratic Lewis W. Bicknell 136,428 44.86% −1.19%
Majority 31,258 10.28% +2.38%
Turnout 304,114 100.00%
Republican hold

References

  1. ^ "Day County Officers Will Assume Duties". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. January 10, 1935. p. 11. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  2. ^ Beckwith, J. W.; Price, Alice M. (1935). South Dakota Legislative Manual 1935. Pierre, S.D. p. 104.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Hillgren, Ralph O. (January 6, 1940). "Democrats to Stage Kick-Off in 1940 Political War Monday: National Aims, State Offices Hold Interest". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. p. 10. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "Steensland Will Run For Governor's Post". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. January 6, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 631.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^ "Mitchell Meeting Planned To Pick Bushfield Opponent". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. February 10, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "Adolph Nelson Graff". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
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