1961 Sioux Falls mayoral recall election

1961 Sioux Falls mayoral recall election

←  1959 December 19, 1961 1964 →

Candidate V. L. Crusinberry Fay Wheeldon Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Popular vote 12,875 5,103 Percentage 71.62% 28.38%

Mayor before election Fay Wheeldon Nonpartisan Elected mayor V. L. Crusinberry Nonpartisan

The 1961 Sioux Falls mayoral recall election took place on December 19, 1961. Incumbent Mayor Fay Wheeldon faced a recall election over allegations that the city police department was badly run. Former Fire Department Chief V. L. Crusinberry challenged Wheeldon in the recall election and defeated him in a landslide, winning 72 percent of the vote.

Candidates

• Fay Wheeldon, incumbent Mayor
• V. L. Crusinberry, former Chief of the City Fire Department, Deputy State Fire Marshal ^[1]

Campaign

On August 14, 1961, Captain Jack Stone, a member of the Sioux Falls Police Department, resigned from the force, alleging that there were "intolerable conditions" within the department. Police Chief Kenneth B. Chamberlain and Mayor Wheeldon denied the allegations, with Wheeldon observing that the current composition of the department is "the finest department in the history of Sioux Falls." ^[2] Wheeldon said that he "would welcome a legal investigation of the Police Department." ^[3] Thirty policemen signed a petition requesting an investigation of the Department. Lieutenant Herb Hawkey, one of the petitioners, alleged that he was denied a promotion to captain because he "nursemaided" Wheeldon during several drinking sprees. Wheeldon denied the allegations, which he condemned as a "particularly reckless and vicious attack." ^[4] Chief Chamberlain fired several of the petitioners, who appealed their termination to the city Civil Service Board. ^[5] State's Attorney William Clayton subsequently filed a removal action against Chamberlain. ^[6]

A campaign began gathering petitions to force a recall of Wheeldon, citing the police department controversy. After the campaign submitted a sufficient number of petitions to the city, the City Commission scheduled the election for December 19, 1961. ^[7] Former Fire Chief V. L. Crusinberry was the only candidate to file against Wheeldon. ^[1] Wheeldon condemned the recall election and Crusinberry's candidacy, alleging that union-backed "professional city-wreckers" who "want loose law enforcement" were behind the recall election. ^[8] The Argus Leader endorsed against the recall election, writing that Wheeldon "does not deserve the stigma of a recall" because he "has been a good mayor for Sioux Falls during a period of unprecedented prosperity." It criticized the recall campaign for a lack of transparency on "the reason for the big hurry in recalling the Mayor." ^[9]

Ultimately, Wheeldon lost the election in a landslide, receiving only 28 percent of the vote to Crusinberry's 72 percent.

Results

1961 Sioux Falls mayoral recall election ^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	V. L. Crusinberry	12,875	71.62%
	Nonpartisan	Fay Wheeldon (inc.)	5,103	28.38%
Total votes			17,978	100.00%

References

1. Smith, David H. (October 12, 1961). "Crusinberry to Oppose Mayor in Recall Race". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
2. Noteboom, Lloyd (August 22, 1961). "Chief Chamberlain Says Stene Should Be Specific". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
3. Noteboom, Lloyd (August 31, 1961). "Wheeldon Welcomes 'Legal Investigation'". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
4. Noteboom, Lloyd (September 22, 1961). "Police Lieutenant Tells of 'Nursemaiding' S.F. Mayor". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
5. Noteboom, Lloyd (October 1, 1961). "Civil Service Board Will Step Aside If Requested". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
6. "Court Takes Chamberlain Ouster Case". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. October 24, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
7. Noteboom, Lloyd (November 10, 1961). "City Commission Sets Recall Election for December 19". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
8. "Wheeldon Says Opponent Is 'Handpicked' Union Member". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. December 5, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
9. "Our Opinion on Tuesday's Election". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. December 17, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
10. "Special City Election - December 19, 1961". Sioux Falls City Clerk. Retrieved July 5, 2025.