1950 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1950 South Dakota gubernatorial election

November 7, 1950

Nominee Sigurd Anderson Joe Robbie Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 154,254 99,062 Percentage 60.89% 39.11%

County results Anderson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Robbie:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90% Tie:      50–60%

Governor before election George T. Mickelson Republican Elected Governor Sigurd Anderson Republican

The 1950 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1950. Incumbent Republican Governor George T. Mickelson was unable to seek re-election to a third term due to newly imposed term limits.[1] Accordingly, a competitive race to replace him ensued. Attorney General Sigurd Anderson won a slim plurality in the Republican primary, barely exceeding 35% and narrowly avoiding having the Republican nomination sent to the state party convention.[2] In the general election, Anderson faced State Representative Joe Robbie. Anderson easily defeated Robbie, winning his first term with 61% of the vote to Robbie's 39%.

Democratic primary

State Representative Joe Robbie, who represented Davison County in the State House,[3] was the only Democrat to file for the gubernatorial race, winning the nomination by default and removing the race from the primary election ballot.[4]

Republican primary

Candidates

• Sigurd Anderson, Attorney General of South Dakota
• Joe Foss, World War II flying ace
• Boyd Leedom, attorney[5]
• Charles J. Dalthorp, State Finance Director[6][7]
• Irwin R. Erickson, former Assistant Attorney General of South Dakota[7]

Results

Republican primary results[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Sigurd Anderson	35,609	35.34%
	Republican	Joe Foss	33,257	33.01%
	Republican	Boyd Leedom	20,059	19.91%
	Republican	Charles J. Dalthorp	8,345	8.28%
	Republican	Irwin R. Erickson	3,481	3.46%
Total votes			100,751	100.00%

General election

Results

1950 South Dakota gubernatorial election[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Sigurd Anderson	154,254	60.89%	−0.19%
	Democratic	Joe Robbie	99,062	39.11%	+0.19%
Majority			55,192	21.78%	−0.38%
Turnout			253,316	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Joe Foss Is Up For Governor". Lead Daily Call. Lead, S.D. November 23, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
2. Milner, Harold S. (June 11, 1950). "Anderson Wins GOP Nomination: Attorney General Amasses 35.3319 Percent Of Vote". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
3. "Joseph, Jr. Robbie". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
4. "Four Top-Of-The-Ballot Contests Slated In South Dakota Primary". Lead Daily Call. Lead, S.D. May 7, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
5. "GOP Nominee Snarled by South Dakota's Vote". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. June 8, 1950. p. 9. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
6. "South Dakota's People, Its Farms and Other Resources Appraised by C. J. Dalthorp". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. September 7, 1949. p. 10. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
7. "Expect Big Vote in S.D. Primary". Ames Daily Tribune. Ames, Iowa. June 6, 1950. p. 7. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
8. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 633.

Bibliography

• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.