1972 South Dakota gubernatorial election

The 1972 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972, to elect a Governor of South Dakota. It was the last election in South Dakota to elect the governor for a two-year term after a 1972 state constitutional amendment established a four-year term.[1] Democratic nominee Richard F. Kneip was re-elected, defeating Republican nominee Carveth Thompson. Despite incumbent Republican President Richard Nixon winning The state with 62% of the vote on the same ballot.

1972 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1970 November 7, 1972 (1972-11-07) 1974 →
 
Nominee Richard F. Kneip Carveth Thompson
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Bill Dougherty
Popular vote 185,012 123,165
Percentage 60.0% 40.0%

County results
Kneip:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Thompson:      50-60%      60-70%

Governor before election

Richard F. Kneip
Democratic

Elected Governor

Richard F. Kneip
Democratic

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Carveth Thompson 65,538 72.41
Republican Simon W. Chance 24,975 27.59
Total votes 90,513 100.00

General election

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Results

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South Dakota gubernatorial election, 1972[3][4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard F. Kneip (inc.) 185,012 60.03
Republican Carveth Thompson 123,165 39.97
Total votes 308,177 100.00
Majority 61,847 20.06
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ Public affairs, Issues 52-108. February 1973. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  2. ^ "Official Election Returns for South Dakota: Primary Election June 6, 1972" (PDF). South Dakota Secretary of State. 1972. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  3. ^ "Official Election Returns by Counties for the State of South Dakota: General Election November 7, 1972" (PDF). South Dakota Secretary of State. 1972. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  4. ^ "South Dakota Gubernatorial Elections, 1889-2006" (PDF). University of Minnesota. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.