1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election
	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

Candidates

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

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

Candidates

Harlan J. Bushfield, incumbent governor
Adolph N. Graff, former mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota,^[6] former state representative from Minnehaha County^[7]

Results

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

Results

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

^ "Day County Officers Will Assume Duties". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. January 10, 1935. p. 11. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^ 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)
^ 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.
^ "Steensland Will Run For Governor's Post". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. January 6, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^ ^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)
^ "Mitchell Meeting Planned To Pick Bushfield Opponent". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. February 10, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^ "Adolph Nelson Graff". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.

[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.

[2005_legislative_manual-5] 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.

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