1944 United States Senate election in South Dakota

1944 United States Senate election in South Dakota

November 7, 1944

Nominee Chan Gurney George M. Bradshaw Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 145,248 82,199 Percentage 63.86% 36.14%

County results Gurney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Bradshaw:      50–60%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Chan Gurney Republican Elected U.S. Senator Chan Gurney Republican

The 1932 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 7, 1944. Incumbent Republican Senator Chan Gurney ran for re-election to a second term. He faced a strong challenge in the Republican primary from Lieutenant Governor A. C. Miller, who claimed that Gurney was too friendly to New Deal policies, but was defeated by Gurney by a wide margin. In the general election, Gurney faced former State Senator George M. Bradshaw, whom he defeated in a landslide as Thomas E. Dewey was decisively winning the state over President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the presidential election.

Democratic primary

Former State Senator George M. Bradshaw was the only Democratic candidate to file for the U.S. Senate, removing the race from the ballot.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Chan Gurney, incumbent U.S. Senator
• A. C. Miller, Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chan Gurney (inc.)	35,960	56.18%
	Republican	A. C. Miller	28,052	43.82%
Total votes			64,012	100.00%

General election

Results

1944 United States Senate election in South Dakota

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Chan Gurney (inc.)	145,248	63.86%	+5.80%
	Democratic	George M. Bradshaw	82,199	36.14%	−5.80%
Majority			63,049	27.72%	+11.60%
Turnout			227,447
	Republican hold