1949 Sioux Falls mayoral election

1949 Sioux Falls mayoral election

←  1944 April 19, 1949 April 26, 1949 1954  →

Candidate Henry Saure John N. Browning Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan First round 5,634 42.49% 3,784 28.53% Runoff 7,874 50.80% 7,625 49.20%   Candidate C. M. Whitfield Ellis O. Smith Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan First round 2,720 20.51% 758 5.72% Runoff Eliminated Eliminated

Mayor before election C. M. Whitfield Nonpartisan Elected mayor Henry Saure Nonpartisan

The 1949 Sioux Falls mayoral election was held on April 26, 1949, following a primary election on April 19, 1949. Incumbent Mayor C. M. Whitfield ran for re-election to a second term. However, Whitfield was defeated in the primary election, placing third. Henry Saure, the President of the Sioux Falls Board of Education, who received 42 percent of the vote, and former State Representative John N. Browning, who received 29 percent of the vote, advanced to the general election. Saure narrowly defeated Browning, 51–49 percent, winning his first term as Mayor.

Primary election

Candidates

• Henry Saure, President of the Sioux Falls Board of Education ^[1]
• John N. Browning, former State Representative, 1939 and 1942 candidate for Mayor ^[2]
• C. M. Whitfield, incumbent Mayor ^[3]
• Ellis O. Smith, former City Commissioner ^[4]
• O. F. Torrey, water and plumbing supply dealer, former police officer ^[5]
• Orville R. Beck, bartender ^[5]
• Jess Borneman, restaurant manager ^[5]

Results

1949 Sioux Falls mayoral primary election ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Henry Saure	5,634	42.49%
	Nonpartisan	John N. Browning	3,784	28.53%
	Nonpartisan	C. M. Whitfield (inc.)	2,720	20.51%
	Nonpartisan	Ellis O. Smith	758	5.72%
	Nonpartisan	O. F. Torrey	207	1.56%
	Nonpartisan	Orville R. Beck	105	0.79%
	Nonpartisan	Jess Borneman	53	0.40%
Total votes			13,261	100.00%

General election

Results

1949 Sioux Falls mayoral runoff election ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Henry Saure	7,874	50.80%
	Nonpartisan	John N. Browning	7,625	49.20%
Total votes			15,499	100.00%

References

1. "Henry Saure Sixth Into Mayor's Race". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. March 29, 1949. p. 3. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
2. "John Browning Enters Mayoralty Race Here". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. March 16, 1949. p. 8. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
3. "Mayor Whitfield to Ask Reelection: Extra Stiff Pre-Election Fight Likely". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. January 30, 1949. p. 15. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
4. "Ellis O. Smith Enters Race For City's Mayor". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. March 13, 1949. p. 14. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
5. "Presenting The Seven Sioux Falls Mayoralty Candidates". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. April 3, 1949. p. 11. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
6. "City Election Held on Tuesday, April 19, 1949 - Mayor". Sioux Falls City Clerk. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
7. "Second City Election Held on Tuesday, April 26, 1949 - Mayor". Sioux Falls City Clerk. Retrieved July 5, 2025.