1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota

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1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota
Flag of South Dakota (1909-1963).svg
  1948 November 2, 1954 1960  
  Rep. Karl Mundt, Repub., of S.D., 2-21-40 LCCN2016877155 (cropped).jpg
Nominee Karl E. Mundt Kenneth Holum
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote135,071100,674
Percentage57.30%42.70%

1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota results map by county.svg
County results
Mundt:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Holum:     50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Karl E. Mundt
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Karl E. Mundt
Republican

The 1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 2, 1954. Incumbent Republican Senator Karl E. Mundt ran for re-election to his second term. He was opposed by former State Representative Kenneth Holum, the Democratic nominee. Mundt defeated Holum in a landslide to win re-election.

Contents

Primary elections

Both Mundt and Holum won their primaries without opposition. Mundt announced that he would seek a second term on December 31, 1953, amid speculation that Governor Sigurd Anderson would challenge him in the Republican primary. [1] However, on February 9, 1954, Anderson announced that he wouldn't challenge Mundt, and would instead retire rather than seek re-election. [2] No candidates emerged against Mundt until Kenneth Holum, a former State Representative from Groton, [3] announced his campaign on April 5, 1954. [4] Former State Senator David L. Wickens announced that he would challenge Mundt in the Republican primary, [5] but was unable to gather a sufficient number of petitions and dropped out of the race. [6] With Wickens out of the race, no other candidates emerged, and Mundt and Holum faced no opposition for their parties' nominations. Accordingly, both races were removed from the primary election ballot. [7]

General election

Results

1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Karl E. Mundt (inc.) 135,071 57.30% -2.04%
Democratic Kenneth Holum100,67442.70%+2.04%
Majority34,39714.59%-4.08%
Turnout 242,833100.00%
Republican hold

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References

  1. "Sen. Mundt Announces; First Candidate So Far". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, S.D. December 31, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  2. "Anderson Is Not a Candidate: Plans for Future Not Announced". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, S.D. February 9, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  3. "Kenneth Holum". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  4. "Report Says Holum to Oppose Mundt in Bid for Senate Job". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, S.D. April 3, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  5. "GOP Senate Race in S.D. Assured as David Wickens Announces for Mundt Job". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, S.D. April 9, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  6. "Wickens Fails To File Petitions". Rapid City Journal . Rapid City, S.D. May 2, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  7. Milner, Harold S. (May 3, 1954). "With Wickens Out, Way Clear For Sen. Mundt". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, S.D. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  8. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 634.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)