1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election

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1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election
Flag of South Dakota (1909-1963).svg
  1938 November 5, 1940 1942  
  BushfieldH.jpg No image.svg
Nominee Harlan J. Bushfield Lewis W. Bicknell
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote167,686136,428
Percentage55.14%44.86%

1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results

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

Contents

Bicknell:     50–60%     60–70%

Governor of South Dakota before election

Harlan J. Bushfield
Republican

Elected Governor of South Dakota

Harlan J. Bushfield
Republican

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

Results

Democratic primary [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Lewis W. Bicknell 31,790 60.80%
Democratic Almer O. Steensland20,50039.20%
Total votes52,290 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Harlan J. Bushfield (inc.) 84,992 78.43%
Republican Adolph N. Graff23,37721.57%
Total votes108,369 100.00%

General election

Results

1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Harlan J. Bushfield (inc.) 167,686 55.14% +1.19%
Democratic Lewis W. Bicknell136,42844.86%−1.19%
Majority31,25810.28%+2.38%
Turnout 304,114100.00%
Republican hold

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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. 1 2 3 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.