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1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election

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1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1938 November 5, 1940 1942 →
 
Nominee Harlan J. Bushfield Lewis W. Bicknell
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 167,686 136,428
Percentage 55.14% 44.86%

County results

Bushfield:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

Bicknell:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor of South Dakota before election

Harlan J. Bushfield
Republican

Elected Governor of South Dakota

Harlan J. Bushfield
Republican

The 1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Republican Governor Harlan J. Bushfield sought re-election to a second term. After winning the Republican primary by a large margin, he faced Democrat Lewis W. Bicknell, former Day County State's Attorney, in the general election. Though Bushfield underperformed Republican presidential nominee Wendell Willkie, who won the state in a landslide, he nonetheless defeated Bicknell by a wide margin to easily win re-election.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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  • Lewis W. Bicknell, former Day County State's Attorney,[1] former chairman of the State Department of Public Welfare,[2] 1932 Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate[3]
  • Almer O. Steensland, former state representative from Charles Mix County[4]

Results

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Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lewis W. Bicknell 31,790 60.80%
Democratic Almer O. Steensland 20,500 39.20%
Total votes 52,290 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Harlan J. Bushfield (inc.) 84,992 78.43%
Republican Adolph N. Graff 23,377 21.57%
Total votes 108,369 100.00%

General election

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Results

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1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Harlan J. Bushfield (inc.) 167,686 55.14% +1.19%
Democratic Lewis W. Bicknell 136,428 44.86% −1.19%
Majority 31,258 10.28% +2.38%
Turnout 304,114 100.00%
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ "Day County Officers Will Assume Duties". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. January 10, 1935. p. 11. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  2. ^ Beckwith, J. W.; Price, Alice M. (1935). South Dakota Legislative Manual 1935. Pierre, S.D. p. 104.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Hillgren, Ralph O. (January 6, 1940). "Democrats to Stage Kick-Off in 1940 Political War Monday: National Aims, State Offices Hold Interest". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. p. 10. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "Steensland Will Run For Governor's Post". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. January 6, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 631.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^ "Mitchell Meeting Planned To Pick Bushfield Opponent". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. February 10, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "Adolph Nelson Graff". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.