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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[edit]
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[edit]
Results[edit]
| 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[edit]
- ^ "Sen. Mundt Announces; First Candidate So Far". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. December 31, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Kenneth Holum". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Wickens Fails To File Petitions". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. May 2, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 634.
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