| Elections in South Dakota |
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The 1968 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 5, 1968. Incumbent Democratic Senator George McGovern ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged by former Governor Archie M. Gubbrud, who was persuaded to enter the race by the South Dakota Republican establishment.[1] McGovern defeated Gubbrud by a wide margin, even as Richard Nixon was defeating Hubert Humphrey in the state's presidential election in a landslide.
Primary elections
Both McGovern and Gubbrud were unopposed in their respective primaries.[2] Gubbrud and incumbent Governor Nils Boe were seen as likely Republican candidates, but on March 22, Boe announced that he would not run.[3] Shortly thereafter, a grassroots group of Republicans supportive of Gubbrud, named "Archie's Archers," started a campaign to persuade him to run, and received promises from other potential Republican candidates that they wouldn't run if Gubbrud did.[4] On April 7, Gubbrud announced that he would run for the Senate,[5] and subsequently received endorsements from prominent Republican figures, including former Vice-President Richard Nixon.[6]
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | George McGovern (incumbent) | 158,961 | 56.79% | +6.67% | |
| Republican | Archie M. Gubbrud | 120,951 | 43.21% | -6.67% | |
| Majority | 38,010 | 13.58% | +13.34% | ||
| Turnout | 279,912 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
References
- ^ "Supporters Feel Assured Gubbrud To Seek Senate". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. April 3, 1968. p. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "Democrats Have Three-Way Race For 1968 Presidential Delegation". Mitchell Daily Republic. Mitchell, S.D. April 22, 1968. p. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "Boe Out Of Senate Race". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. March 22, 1968. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "Supporters Feel Assured Gubbrud To Seek Senate". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. April 3, 1968. p. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "Gubbrud To Seek GOP Nomination For Senate". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. April 7, 1968. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "Nixon Backs Gubbrud". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. April 11, 1968. p. 8. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 637.
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