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1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota

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1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1948 November 2, 1954 1960 →
 
Nominee Karl E. Mundt Kenneth Holum
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 135,071 100,674
Percentage 57.30% 42.70%

County results
Mundt:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Holum:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Karl E. Mundt
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Karl E. Mundt
Republican

The 1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 2, 1954. Incumbent Republican Senator Karl E. Mundt ran for re-election to his second term. He was opposed by former State Representative Kenneth Holum, the Democratic nominee. Mundt defeated Holum in a landslide to win re-election.

Primary elections

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Both Mundt and Holum won their primaries without opposition. Mundt announced that he would seek a second term on December 31, 1953, amid speculation that Governor Sigurd Anderson would challenge him in the Republican primary.[1] However, on February 9, 1954, Anderson announced that he wouldn't challenge Mundt, and would instead retire rather than seek re-election.[2] No candidates emerged against Mundt until Kenneth Holum, a former State Representative from Groton,[3] announced his campaign on April 5, 1954.[4] Former State Senator David L. Wickens announced that he would challenge Mundt in the Republican primary,[5] but was unable to gather a sufficient number of petitions and dropped out of the race.[6] With Wickens out of the race, no other candidates emerged, and Mundt and Holum faced no opposition for their parties' nominations. Accordingly, both races were removed from the primary election ballot.[7]

General election

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Results

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1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Karl E. Mundt (inc.) 135,071 57.30% −2.04%
Democratic Kenneth Holum 100,674 42.70% +2.04%
Majority 34,397 14.59% −4.08%
Turnout 242,833 100.00%
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ "Sen. Mundt Announces; First Candidate So Far". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. December 31, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "Anderson Is Not a Candidate: Plans for Future Not Announced". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. February 9, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "Kenneth Holum". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "Report Says Holum to Oppose Mundt in Bid for Senate Job". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. April 3, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "GOP Senate Race in S.D. Assured as David Wickens Announces for Mundt Job". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. April 9, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  6. ^ "Wickens Fails To File Petitions". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. May 2, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  7. ^ Milner, Harold S. (May 3, 1954). "With Wickens Out, Way Clear For Sen. Mundt". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  8. ^ Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 634.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)