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1936 United States Senate election in South Dakota

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1936 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1930 November 3, 1936 1942 →
 
Nominee William J. Bulow Chan Gurney
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 141,509 135,461
Percentage 48.83% 46.75%

County results
Bulow:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Gurney:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
No Vote:      

U.S. senator before election

William J. Bulow
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

William J. Bulow
Democratic

The 1936 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 3, 1936. Incumbent Democratic Senator William J. Bulow ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged by businessman Chan Gurney, who defeated former Congressman Charles A. Christopherson in the Republican primary. Bulow, likely aided by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's landslide victory in South Dakota, narrowly defeated Gurney to win his second term, though he significantly underperformed Roosevelt.

Democratic primary

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Senator Bulow was the only Democratic candidate to file for the Senate; accordingly, no election occurred and the race did not appear on the primary election ballot.[1]

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chan Gurney 61,528 64.60%
Republican C. A. Christopherson 33,720 35.40%
Total votes 95,248 100.00%

General election

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Results

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1936 United States Senate election in South Dakota[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic William J. Bulow (inc.) 141,509 48.83% −2.80%
Republican Chan Gurney 135,461 46.75% −1.62%
Independent Arthur Bennett 12,816 4.42%
Majority 6,048 2.09% −1.18%
Turnout 289,786 100.00%
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ "Backers of Borah, Landon Finishing Drives for Votes". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. May 2, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  2. ^ ""Chan" Gurney Out for Senate: Yankton Man Offers Candidacy of Son". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. January 4, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 627.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)