1936 United States Senate election in South Dakota

1936 United States Senate election in South Dakota

←  1930 November 3, 1936 1942  →

Nominee William J. Bulow Chan Gurney Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 141,509 135,461 Percentage 48.83% 46.75%

County results Bulow:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Gurney:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% No Vote:

U.S. senator before election William J. Bulow Democratic Elected U.S. Senator William J. Bulow Democratic

The 1936 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 3, 1936. Incumbent Democratic Senator William J. Bulow ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged by businessman Chan Gurney, who defeated former Congressman Charles A. Christopherson in the Republican primary. Bulow, likely aided by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's landslide victory in South Dakota, narrowly defeated Gurney to win his second term, though he significantly underperformed Roosevelt.

Democratic primary

Senator Bulow was the only Democratic candidate to file for the Senate; accordingly, no election occurred and the race did not appear on the primary election ballot. ^[1]

Republican primary

Candidates

• Chan Gurney, businessman ^[2]
• Charles A. Christopherson, former U.S. Congressman from South Dakota's 1st congressional district

Results

Republican primary ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chan Gurney	61,528	64.60%
	Republican	C. A. Christopherson	33,720	35.40%
Total votes			95,248	100.00%

General election

Results

1936 United States Senate election in South Dakota ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	William J. Bulow (inc.)	141,509	48.83%	−2.80%
	Republican	Chan Gurney	135,461	46.75%	−1.62%
	Independent	Arthur Bennett	12,816	4.42%	—
Majority			6,048	2.09%	−1.18%
Turnout			289,786	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Backers of Borah, Landon Finishing Drives for Votes". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, S.D. May 2, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
2. ""Chan" Gurney Out for Senate: Yankton Man Offers Candidacy of Son". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, S.D. January 4, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
3. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 627.