1962 United States Senate election in South Dakota

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1962 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1956 November 6, 1962 1968 →
  George McGovern bioguide.jpg Bottum.jpg
Nominee George McGovern Joseph H. Bottum
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 127,458 126,861
Percentage 50.12% 49.88%

South Dakota Senate Election Results by County, 1962.svg
County results
McGovern:      50–60%      60–70%
Bottum:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Joseph H. Bottum
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

George McGovern
Democratic

The 1962 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 6, 1962. Incumbent Republican Senator Francis H. Case ran for re-election to a third term. He won the Republican primary against Attorney General A. C. Miller, but shortly after the primary, died. The Republican State Central Committee named Lieutenant Governor Joseph H. Bottum as Case's replacement on the ballot, and Governor Archie Gubbrud appointed Bottum to fill the vacancy caused by Case's death.[1] In the general election, Bottum was opposed by Democratic nominee George McGovern, the Director of Food for Peace and the former U.S. Congressman from South Dakota's 1st congressional district. The contest between Bottum and McGovern was quite close, with McGovern narrowly defeating him for re-election by just 597 votes, making him the first Democrat to win a Senate election in South Dakota since William J. Bulow's win in 1936.

Democratic Primary[]

Candidates[]

Former Lieutenant Governor John F. Lindley announced that he would run for the U.S. Senate, but dropped out of the race when former Congressman George McGovern, who briefly served in the Kennedy administration as Director of Food for Peace, announced that he would run.[2] McGovern was the only Democratic candidate to file for the race, and the primary election did not appear on the ballot.[3]

Republican Primary[]

Candidates[]

  • Francis H. Case, incumbent U.S. senator
  • A. C. Miller, South Dakota Attorney General[3]

Results[]

Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Francis H. Case (inc.) 57,583 83.46%
Republican A. C. Miller 11,414 16.54%
Total votes 102,137 100.00%

Several weeks after winning the Republican primary, Senator Case died in office. The Republican Party of South Dakota named Lieutenant Governor Joseph H. Bottum as Case's replacement on the ballot, and Governor Gubbrud appointed him as Case's successor.[1]

General election[]

Results[]

1962 United States Senate election in South Dakota[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic George McGovern 127,458 50.12% +0.91%
Republican Joseph H. Bottum (inc.) 126,861 49.88% -0.91%
Majority 597 0.23% -1.35%
Turnout 290,622 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Bottum Named Case's Replacement; Tapped For November Ballot". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. July 10, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "Lindley Will Run Campaign For McGovern". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. April 23, 1962. p. 17. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Wickens Short 3 Signatures On Petitions". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. April 23, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 634.
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