1950 United States Senate election in South Dakota

1950 United States Senate election in South Dakota

←  1944 November 7, 1950 1956  →

Nominee Francis Case John A. Engel Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 160,670 90,692 Percentage 63.92% 36.08%

County results Case:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Engel:     50–60%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election Chan Gurney Republican Elected U.S. Senator Francis Case Republican

The 1950 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 7, 1950. Incumbent Republican senator Chan Gurney ran for re-election to a third term. He was challenged in the Republican primary by Congressman Francis H. Case, who had represented the 2nd District since 1939. In the general election, Case faced John A. Engel, an attorney and the 1948 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. As the Republican Party was making significant gains nationwide, Case defeated Engel in a landslide.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John A. Engel, attorney, 1948 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate ^[1]
• John S. Tschetter, Mayor of Huron ^[2]

Results

Democratic primary ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John A. Engel	18,944	59.11%
	Democratic	John S. Tschetter	13,104	40.89%
Total votes			32,048	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Francis H. Case, U.S. Congressman from South Dakota's 2nd congressional district
• Chan Gurney, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Republican primary ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Francis H. Case	59,314	58.07%
	Republican	Chan Gurney (inc.)	42,823	41.93%
Total votes			102,137	100.00%

General election

Results

1950 United States Senate election in South Dakota ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Francis H. Case	160,670	63.92%	+0.06%
	Democratic	John A. Engel	90,692	36.08%	−0.06%
Majority			69,978	27.84%	+0.12%
Turnout			251,352
	Republican hold

References

1. "Engel Seeks Demo Senate Nomination". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, S.D. April 5, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
2. "Engel-Tschetter Fight". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, S.D. May 7, 1950. p. 36. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
3. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 628.