1946 South Dakota gubernatorial election

The 1946 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1946. Incumbent Republican Governor Merrell Q. Sharpe ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated in the Republican primary by Attorney General George T. Mickelson. In the general election, Mickelson faced farmer Richard Haeder, the Democratic nominee. In part because of South Dakota's growing trend toward the Republican Party, and because of the national Republican landslide, Mickelson easily defeated Haeder, winning 67% of the vote to Haeder's 33%.

1946 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1944 November 5, 1946 1948 →
 
Nominee George T. Mickelson Richard Haeder
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 108,998 53,294
Percentage 67.16% 32.84%

County results
Mickelson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Haeder:      50–60%      80–90%

Governor before election

Merrell Q. Sharpe
Republican

Elected Governor

George T. Mickelson
Republican

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Haeder 8,093 41.06%
Democratic Edward Prchal 6,563 33.30%
Democratic Jennie M. O'Hern 5,053 25.64%
Total votes 19,709 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George T. Mickelson 32,515 44.98%
Republican Merrell Q. Sharpe (inc.) 23,325 32.27%
Republican Millard G. Scott 16,442 22.75%
Total votes 72,282 100.00%

General election

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Results

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1946 South Dakota gubernatorial election[2][4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican George T. Mickelson 108,998 67.16% +1.66%
Democratic Richard Haeder 53,294 32.84% −1.66%
Majority 55,704 34.32% +3.31%
Turnout 162,292 100.00%
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ a b c "South Dakota Governor's Third-Term Bid Rejected". Evening star. Washington, D.C. June 5, 1946. p. A-6. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Elections (PDF). p. 632. Retrieved December 8, 2020. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "Millard G. Scott Enters Republican Gubernatorial Fight: Avers G.O.P. Affairs Need Improvement". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. March 4, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  4. ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 79.

Bibliography

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  • Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.