The 1924 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1924. Incumbent Republican Governor William H. McMaster declined to run for re-election to a third term, instead opting to run for the U.S. Senate. Lieutenant Governor Carl Gunderson won the Republican primary unopposed. In the general election, he faced three prominent opponents: Democratic nominee William J. Bulow, a former State Senator and Mayor of Beresford; Farmer–Labor nominee A. L. Putnam; and perennial candidate Richard O. Richards. Gunderson. With the left-leaning vote split, Gunderson won the election in a landslide.
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 County results Gunderson: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Bulow: 40–50% 60–70% Putnam: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Primary elections
editDemocratic primary
editCandidates
edit- Andrew S. Anderson, former State Senator from Clay County[1]
- Eric J. Ellefson, State Senator from Minnehaha County[2]
Results
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Andrew S. Anderson | 7,437 | 73.01% | |
| Democratic | Eric J. Ellefson | 2,749 | 26.99% | |
| Total votes | 10,186 | 100.00% | ||
On August 11, 1924, Anderson was killed by a bull on his farm.[4] The South Dakota Democratic Party's central committee met to select a replacement for Anderson on August 20, 1924. However, few candidates wanted to accept the nomination. State Senator John B. Johnson declined to be a candidate, though the committee viewed him as their preferred candidate. Ultimately, William J. Bulow—a former State Senator, Union County Judge, and Mayor of Beresford—was selected by the committee as its replacement nominee.[5]
Republican primary
editLieutenant Governor Carl Gunderson was the only Republican candidate to file for Governor, removing the race from the primary election ballot.[3]
Farmer–Labor primary
editCandidates
edit- A. L. Putnam
- Eric J. Ellefson, State Senator from Minnehaha County[2]
Results
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmer–Labor | A. L. Putnam | 2,973 | 70.92% | |
| Farmer–Labor | Eric J. Ellefson | 1,219 | 29.08% | |
| Total votes | 4,192 | 100.00% | ||
General election
editResults
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Carl Gunderson | 109,894 | 53.88% | 8.86% | |
| Democratic | William J. Bulow | 46,663 | 22.88% | −5.85% | |
| Farmer–Labor | A. L. Putnam | 27,027 | 13.25% | — | |
| Independent | Richard O. Richards | 20,359 | 9.98% | — | |
| Majority | 63,231 | 31.00% | 14.72% | ||
| Turnout | 203,943 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
References
edit- ^ "Andrew S. Anderson". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Andrew S. Anderson". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 624.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Demo Governor Aspirant Gored by Bull Today: Andrew S. Anderson, of Beresford, Killed on Farm; Was Slated to Oppose Gunderson for Gubernatorial Chair This Fall". Lead Daily Call. Lead, S.D. August 11, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ "Democrats Select Bulow to Run Against Gunderson in Fall Race For Governor of State: Union County Man Chosen by Huron Meeting". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. August 21, 1924. p. 2. Retrieved June 12, 2021.