1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
|election_name = 1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election
|country = South Dakota
| flag_year = 1963
|type = presidential
|ongoing = no
|previous_election = 1982 South Dakota gubernatorial election
|previous_year = 1982
|election_date = {{Start date|1986|11|4}}
|next_election = 1990 South Dakota gubernatorial election
|next_year = 1990
|image1 = File:George S. Mickelson (cropped).jpeg
| image_size = 150x150px
|nominee1 = George Mickelson
|party1 = Republican Party (United States)
|running_mate1 = Walter D. Miller
|popular_vote1 = 152,543
|percentage1 = 51.8%
|image2 = 3x4.svg
|nominee2 = Lars Herseth
|party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
|running_mate2 = Ted Thoms
|popular_vote2 = 141,898
|percentage2 = 48.2%
|map_image = 1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
|map_size = 260px
| map_caption = County results
Mickelson: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
Herseth: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
|title = Governor
|before_party = Republican Party (United States)
|before_election = Bill Janklow
|after_election = George Mickelson
|after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{ElectionsSD}}
The 1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986 to elect the Governor of South Dakota. Incumbent Bill Janklow was term-limited, so the field for the new governor was open. Republican nominee George S. Mickelson was elected, defeating Democratic nominee Ralph Lars Herseth.
Republican primary
=Candidates=
- George S. Mickelson, Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives
- Clint Roberts, former member of the United States House of Representatives from South Dakota's 2nd district
- Lowell Hansen, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
- Alice Kundert, South Dakota Secretary of State
=Results=
{{Election box begin no change | title=Republican primary results{{cite web |last=Leip |first=David |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=46&year=1986&f=0&off=5&elect=2 |title=1986 Gubernatorial Republican Primary Election Results - South Dakota |date=April 17, 2007 |website=Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |access-date=June 5, 2014}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = George S. Mickelson
|votes = 40,979
|percentage = 35.30
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Clint Roberts
|votes = 37,250
|percentage = 32.08
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Lowell Hansen
|votes = 21,884
|percentage = 18.85
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Alice Kundert
|votes = 15,985
|percentage = 13.77
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 116,098
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
Democratic primary
=Candidates=
- Ralph Lars Herseth, State Representative
- Richard F. Kneip, former Governor of South Dakota
- Kenneth D. Stofferahn, South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner
=Results=
{{Election box begin no change | title=Democratic primary results{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=442245 |title=SD Governor - D Primary
|website=Our Campaigns |access-date=July 1, 2021}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Ralph Lars Herseth
|votes = 30,801
|percentage = 42.81
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Richard F. Kneip
|votes = 27,811
|percentage = 38.66
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Kenneth D. Stofferahn
|votes = 13,332
|percentage = 18.53
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 71,944
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
General election
=Results=
{{Election box begin no change | title=South Dakota gubernatorial election, 1986{{cite web |url=https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/86SDGEN.pdf |title=Official Election Returns and Registration Figures for South Dakota |author= |date=1986 |website=South Dakota Secretary of State |publisher=South Dakota Secretary of State |page=3 |access-date=June 5, 2014}}{{cite web |last=Leip |first=David |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1986&fips=46&f=0&off=5&elect=0 |title=1986 Gubernatorial General Election Results - South Dakota |website=Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |date=May 18, 2008 |access-date=June 5, 2014}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = George S. Mickelson
|votes = 152,543
|percentage = 51.81
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Ralph Lars Herseth
|votes = 141,898
|percentage = 48.19
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes = 294,441
|percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{United States elections, 1986}}