1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election

←  1938 November 5, 1940 1942  →

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

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

• Harlan J. Bushfield, incumbent governor
• Adolph N. Graff, former mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, ^[6] former state representative from Minnehaha County ^[7]

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.
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. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 631.
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.