1974 United States Senate election in South Dakota

Last updated

1974 United States Senate election in South Dakota
Flag of South Dakota (1963-1992).svg
  1968 November 5, 1974 1980  
  George McGovern (D-SD) (3x4-1).jpg Leo K Thorsness.jpg
Nominee George McGovern Leo K. Thorsness
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote147,929130,955
Percentage53.04%46.96%

1974 United States Senate election in South Dakota results map by county.svg
County results
McGovern:     50–60%     60–70%
Thorsness:     50–60%     60-70%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election

George McGovern
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

George McGovern
Democratic

The 1974 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator George McGovern ran for reelection to a third term and won.

Contents

McGovern's reelection was notable for the fact two years prior, in the 1972 presidential election, McGovern lost his home state by 9 points to Richard Nixon, yet won his Senate reelection bid by 7 points, marking a sixteen point swing in two years.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 4, 1974.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results [1] [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic George McGovern (incumbent) unopposed

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results [1] [2] [5] [6]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Leo K. Thorsness 49,716 52.35%
Republican Al Schock35,40637.28%
Republican Barbara B. Gunderson9,85210.37%
Total votes94,974 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1974 United States Senate election in South Dakota [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic George McGovern (incumbent) 147,929 53.04
Republican Leo K. Thorsness 130,95546.96
Majority16,9746.08
Turnout 278,884
Democratic hold

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 152.
  2. 1 2 America Votes 11, p. 302.
  3. "Barbara Bates Gunderson Obituary (2007) Rapid City Journal". Legacy.com .
  4. "Al Schock - SD Hall of Fame Programs".
  5. "SD US Senate, 1974 - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  6. Lorna B. Herseth, Secretary of State (ed.). Official Election Returns for South Dakota: Primary Election, June 4, 1974 (PDF). p. 2.
  7. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 96.
  8. America Votes 11, p. 297.
  9. "SD US Senate, 1974". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  10. Lorna B. Herseth, Secretary of State (ed.). Official Election Returns for South Dakota: General Election, November 5, 1974 (PDF). p. 2.
  11. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 1974" (PDF). Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House. August 1, 1975. Retrieved December 3, 2020.

Bibliography