1924 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1924 South Dakota gubernatorial election

←  1922 November 4, 1924 1926  →

Nominee Carl Gunderson William J. Bulow Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 109,894 46,663 Percentage 53.88% 22.88%   Nominee A. L. Putnam Richard O. Richards Party Farmer–Labor Independent Popular vote 27,027 20,259 Percentage 13.25% 9.98%

County results Gunderson:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%      60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Bulow:     40–50%     60–70% Putnam:     40–50%

Governor of South Dakota before election William H. McMaster Republican Elected Governor of South Dakota Carl Gunderson Republican

The 1924 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1924. Incumbent Republican Governor William H. McMaster declined to run for re-election to a third term, instead opting to run for the U.S. Senate. Lieutenant Governor Carl Gunderson won the Republican primary unopposed. In the general election, he faced three prominent opponents: Democratic nominee William J. Bulow, a former State Senator and Mayor of Beresford; Farmer–Labor nominee A. L. Putnam; and perennial candidate Richard O. Richards. Gunderson. Gunderson won the election in a landslide.

Primary elections

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Andrew S. Anderson, former State Senator from Clay County ^[1]
• Eric J. Ellefson, State Senator from Minnehaha County ^[2]

Results

Democratic primary ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Andrew S. Anderson	7,437	73.01%
	Democratic	Eric J. Ellefson	2,749	26.99%
Total votes			10,186	100.00%

On August 11, 1924, Anderson was killed by a bull on his farm. ^[4] The South Dakota Democratic Party's central committee met to select a replacement for Anderson on August 20, 1924. However, few candidates wanted to accept the nomination. State Senator John B. Johnson declined to be a candidate, though the committee viewed him as their preferred candidate. Ultimately, William J. Bulow—a former State Senator, Union County Judge, and Mayor of Beresford—was selected by the committee as its replacement nominee. ^[5]

Republican primary

Lieutenant Governor Carl Gunderson was the only Republican candidate to file for Governor, removing the race from the primary election ballot. ^[3]

Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

• A. L. Putnam
• Eric J. Ellefson, State Senator from Minnehaha County ^[2]

Results

Farmer–Labor primary ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Farmer–Labor	A. L. Putnam	2,973	70.92%
	Farmer–Labor	Eric J. Ellefson	1,219	29.08%
Total votes			4,192	100.00%

General election

Results

1924 South Dakota gubernatorial election ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Carl Gunderson	109,894	53.88%	+8.86%
	Democratic	William J. Bulow	46,663	22.88%	−5.85%
	Farmer–Labor	A. L. Putnam	27,027	13.25%	—
	Independent	Richard O. Richards	20,359	9.98%	—
Majority			63,231	31.00%	+14.72%
Turnout			203,943	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Andrew S. Anderson". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
2. "Andrew S. Anderson". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
3. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 624.
4. "Demo Governor Aspirant Gored by Bull Today: Andrew S. Anderson, of Beresford, Killed on Farm; Was Slated to Oppose Gunderson for Gubernatorial Chair This Fall". Lead Daily Call. Lead, S.D. August 11, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
5. "Democrats Select Bulow to Run Against Gunderson in Fall Race For Governor of State: Union County Man Chosen by Huron Meeting". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, S.D. August 21, 1924. p. 2. Retrieved June 12, 2021.