1974 South Dakota gubernatorial election
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1974 South Dakota gubernatorial election
| country = South Dakota
| flag_year = 1963
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1972 South Dakota gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1972
| election_date = {{Start date|1974|11|05}}
| next_election = 1978 South Dakota gubernatorial election
| next_year = 1978
| turnout =
| image1 = File:Dick Kneip.jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = Richard F. Kneip
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate1 = Harvey L. Wollman
| popular_vote1 = 149,151
| percentage1 = 53.6%
| image2 = 3x4.svg
| nominee2 = John E. Olson
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate2 = Charles Clay
| popular_vote2 = 129,077
| percentage2 = 46.4%
| map_image = 1974 South Dakota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 260px
| map_caption = County results
Kneip: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
Olson: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = Richard F. Kneip
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| posttitle = Governor
| after_election = Richard F. Kneip
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{ElectionsSD}}
The 1974 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974, to elect a Governor of South Dakota. This election was the first in South Dakota to elect the governor for a four-year term, after it was allowed by a constitutional amendment passed in 1972.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=engiAQAAMAAJ&q=%22south+dakota%22+1972+%22four+year+term%22 |title=Public affairs, Issues 52-108 |date=February 1973 |access-date=June 5, 2014}} Democratic nominee and Governor Richard F. Kneip was re-elected, defeating Republican nominee John E. Olson. {{As of|2024}}, this is the last time that a Democrat was elected Governor of South Dakota, marking the start of the longest Republican winning streak in the country for a state's governorship, as well as the longest gubernatorial winning streak by a single party.
Democratic primary
=Candidates=
=Results=
{{Election box begin no change | title=Democratic primary results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Richard F. Kneip (Incumbent)
|votes = 45,932
|percentage = 66.19
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Bill Dougherty
|votes = 23,467
|percentage = 33.81
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 69,399
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
Republican primary
=Candidates=
- John E. Olson
- Ronald F. Williamson
- Oscar W. Hagen
=Results=
{{Election box begin no change | title=Democratic primary results{{cite web |url=https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/74SDPRIM.pdf |title=Official Election Returns for South Dakota |year=1974 |publisher=South Dakota Secretary of State |access-date=June 5, 2014}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = John E. Olson
|votes = 49,973
|percentage = 55.57
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Ronald F. Williamson
|votes = 25,509
|percentage = 28.37
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Oscar W. Hagen
|votes = 14,444
|percentage = 16.06
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 89,926
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
General election
=Results=
{{Election box begin no change | title=South Dakota gubernatorial election, 1978{{cite web |last=Leip |first=David |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1974&fips=46&f=0&off=5&elect=0 |title=1974 Gubernatorial General Election Results – South Dakota |website= Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |date=March 29, 2010 |access-date=June 5, 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/74SDGEN.pdf |title=Official Election Results for South Dakota |year=1974 |publisher=South Dakota Secretary of State |access-date=June 5, 2014}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Richard F. Kneip (inc.)
|votes = 149,151
|percentage = 53.61
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = John E. Olson
|votes = 129,077
|percentage = 46.39
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 278,228
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
|loser =
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{United States elections, 1974}}