1968 United States Senate election in South Dakota

The 1968 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 5, 1968. Incumbent Democratic Senator George McGovern ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged by former Governor Archie M. Gubbrud, who was persuaded to enter the race by the South Dakota Republican establishment.^[1] McGovern defeated Gubbrud by a wide margin, even as Richard Nixon was defeating Hubert Humphrey in the state's presidential election in a landslide.

1968 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee George McGovern Archie M. Gubbrud Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 158,961 120,951 Percentage 56.79% 43.21%

County results McGovern:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Gubbrud:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election George McGovern Democratic Elected U.S. Senator George McGovern Democratic

Primary elections

Both McGovern and Gubbrud were unopposed in their respective primaries.^[2] Gubbrud and incumbent Governor Nils Boe were seen as likely Republican candidates, but on March 22, Boe announced that he would not run.^[3] Shortly thereafter, a grassroots group of Republicans supportive of Gubbrud, named "Archie's Archers," started a campaign to persuade him to run, and received promises from other potential Republican candidates that they wouldn't run if Gubbrud did.^[4] On April 7, Gubbrud announced that he would run for the Senate,^[5] and subsequently received endorsements from prominent Republican figures, including former Vice-President Richard Nixon.^[6]

General election

Results

1968 United States Senate election in South Dakota^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	George McGovern (incumbent)	158,961	56.79%	+6.67%
	Republican	Archie M. Gubbrud	120,951	43.21%	-6.67%
Majority			38,010	13.58%	+13.34%
Turnout			279,912	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Supporters Feel Assured Gubbrud To Seek Senate". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. April 3, 1968. p. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
2. "Democrats Have Three-Way Race For 1968 Presidential Delegation". Mitchell Daily Republic. Mitchell, S.D. April 22, 1968. p. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
3. "Boe Out Of Senate Race". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. March 22, 1968. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
4. "Supporters Feel Assured Gubbrud To Seek Senate". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. April 3, 1968. p. 2. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
5. "Gubbrud To Seek GOP Nomination For Senate". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. April 7, 1968. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
6. "Nixon Backs Gubbrud". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. April 11, 1968. p. 8. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
7. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 637.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)