1942 Sioux Falls mayoral special election

1942 Sioux Falls mayoral special election

← 1944 November 17, 1942 November 24, 1942 1944  →

Candidate C. M. Whitfield John N. Browning Adolph Nelson Graff Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan First round 3,922 39.66% 3,806 38.49% 2,160 21.84% Runoff 5,892 53.25% 5,172 46.75% Eliminated

Mayor before election Joseph S. Nelson (acting) Nonpartisan Elected mayor C. M. Whitfield Nonpartisan

The 1942 Sioux Falls mayoral special election took place on November 24, 1942, following a primary election on November 17, 1942. Incumbent Mayor John T. McKee died on August 31, 1942, elevating City Commissioner Joseph S. Nelson as acting Mayor until a special election could be held. The special election was held to fill the remaining two years of McKee's term. ^[1]

In the primary election, City Auditor C. M. Whitfield placed first, winning 40 percent of the vote, and former State Representative John N. Browning placed second, winning 38 percent of the vote. In the general election, Whitfield narrowly defeated Browning, 53–47 percent.

Primary election

Candidates

• C. M. Field, City Auditor ^[2]
• John N. Browning, former State Representative, 1939 candidate for Mayor ^[3]
• Adolph Nelson Graff, former Mayor ^[4]

Results

1942 Sioux Falls mayoral special primary election ^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	C. M. Whitfield	3,922	39.66%
	Nonpartisan	John N. Browning	3,806	38.49%
	Nonpartisan	Adolph Nelson Graff	2,160	21.84%
Total votes			9,888	100.00%

General election

1942 Sioux Falls mayoral special runoff election ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	C. M. Whitfield	5,892	53.25%
	Nonpartisan	John N. Browning	5,172	46.75%
Total votes			11,064	100.00%

References

1. "Nelson Takes City Hall Reins: Voters Will Name McKee Successor In Special Election". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. September 1, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
2. "Graff, Whitfield File Certificates". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. October 27, 1942. p. 4. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
3. "Browning Becomes Candidate in Special Mayoralty Election". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. September 15, 1942. p. 16. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
4. "A. N. Graff First Candidate in Race for Mayor's office". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. September 6, 1942. p. 17. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
5. "Tuesday, November 17, 1942 - Mayor". Sioux Falls City Clerk. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
6. "Secondary Special City Election - Tuesday, November 24, 1942". Sioux Falls City Clerk. Retrieved July 5, 2025.