1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election

←  1982 November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04) 1990  →

Nominee George Mickelson Lars Herseth Party Republican Democratic Running mate Walter D. Miller Ted Thoms Popular vote 152,543 141,898 Percentage 51.8% 48.2%

County results Mickelson:     50–60%     60–70% Herseth:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election Bill Janklow Republican Elected Governor George Mickelson Republican

The 1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986 to elect the Governor of South Dakota. Incumbent Bill Janklow was term-limited, so the field for the new governor was open. Republican nominee George S. Mickelson was elected, defeating Democratic nominee Ralph Lars Herseth. Until 2018, this would be the closest Gubernatorial election in South Dakota.

Republican primary

Candidates

• George S. Mickelson, Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives
• Clint Roberts, former member of the United States House of Representatives from South Dakota's 2nd district
• Lowell Hansen, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
• Alice Kundert, South Dakota Secretary of State

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George S. Mickelson	40,979	35.30
	Republican	Clint Roberts	37,250	32.08
	Republican	Lowell Hansen	21,884	18.85
	Republican	Alice Kundert	15,985	13.77
Total votes			116,098	100.00

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ralph Lars Herseth, State Representative
• Richard F. Kneip, former Governor of South Dakota
• Kenneth D. Stofferahn, South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ralph Lars Herseth	30,801	42.81
	Democratic	Richard F. Kneip	27,811	38.66
	Democratic	Kenneth D. Stofferahn	13,332	18.53
Total votes			71,944	100.00

General election

Results

South Dakota gubernatorial election, 1986 ^{[3] [4]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George S. Mickelson	152,543	51.81
	Democratic	Ralph Lars Herseth	141,898	48.19
Total votes			294,441	100.00
	Republican hold

References

1. Leip, David (April 17, 2007). "1986 Gubernatorial Republican Primary Election Results - South Dakota". Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
2. "SD Governor - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
3. "Official Election Returns and Registration Figures for South Dakota" (PDF). South Dakota Secretary of State. South Dakota Secretary of State. 1986. p. 3. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
4. Leip, David (May 18, 2008). "1986 Gubernatorial General Election Results - South Dakota". Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved June 5, 2014.