1938 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1938 South Dakota gubernatorial election

←  1936 November 8, 1938 1940  →

Nominee Harlan J. Bushfield Oscar Fosheim Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 149,362 127,485 Percentage 53.95% 46.05%

County results Bushfield:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     90–100% Fosheim:     50–60%

Governor of South Dakota before election Leslie Jensen Republican Elected Governor of South Dakota Harlan J. Bushfield Republican

The 1938 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Republican Governor Leslie Jensen declined to seek re-election and instead unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. Harlan J. Bushfield, the former chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party, won the Republican primary to succeed Jensen. In the general election, he faced Democratic nominee Oscar Fosheim, a state representative from Miner County, in the general election. Bushfield defeated Fosheim by a relatively close margin, winning his first term as governor.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Oscar Fosheim, State Representative from Miner County ^[1]
• Mancel W. Peterson, State Senator from Day County, former State Senate President ^[2]

Results

Democratic primary ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Oscar Fosheim	42,422	62.04%
	Democratic	Mancel W. Peterson	25,956	37.96%
Total votes			68,378	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Harlan J. Bushfield, former chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party, former Hand County State's Attorney ^[4]
• Blaine Simons, state senator from Minnehaha County ^[5]

Results

Republican primary ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Harlan J. Bushfield	64,929	65.72%
	Republican	Blaine Simons	33,871	34.28%
Total votes			98,800	100.00%

General election

Results

1938 South Dakota gubernatorial election ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Harlan J. Bushfield	149,362	53.95%	+2.35%
	Democratic	Oscar Fosheim	127,485	46.05%	−2.35%
Majority			21,877	7.90%	+4.70%
Turnout			276,847	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Oscar Fosheim". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
2. "Mancel W. Peterson". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
3. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 630.
4. "Bushfield Will Seek Governorship: G. O. P. Chairman Makes Statement of His Purpose". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, S.D. January 12, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
5. "Blaine Simons". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.