1934 South Dakota gubernatorial election

The 1934 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1934. Incumbent Democratic Governor Tom Berry ran for re-election to a second term. After defeating an intra-party challenge from Lieutenant Governor Hans Ustrud, Berry faced magazine publisher William C. Allen, who won a crowded Republican primary with a large plurality. Aided by the national environment favoring Democrats, Berry won re-election in a landslide.

1934 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1932 November 6, 1934 1936 →
 
Nominee Tom Berry William C. Allen
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 172,228 119,477
Percentage 58.60% 40.65%

County results
Berry:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Allen:      50-60%

Governor of South Dakota before election

Tom Berry
Democratic

Elected Governor of South Dakota

Tom Berry
Democratic

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Berry (inc.) 61,484 79.31%
Democratic Hans Ustrud 16,037 20.69%
Total votes 77,521 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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  • William C. Allen, publisher of the Dakota Farmer[3]
  • Otto Kaas, State Senator from Marshall County[4]
  • Daniel K. Loucks, former Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives[5]
  • Charles A. Alseth, State Representative from Kingsbury County[6]

Results

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Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William C. Allen 46,654 47.94%
Republican Otto Kaas 19,113 19.64%
Republican Daniel K. Loucks 17,846 18.34%
Republican Charles A. Alseth 13,702 14.08%
Total votes 97,315 100.00%

General election

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Results

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1934 South Dakota gubernatorial election[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tom Berry (inc.) 172,228 58.60% +2.97%
Republican William C. Allen 119,477 40.65% −1.75%
Independent Knute Walstad 2,190 0.75%
Majority 52,751 17.95% +4.72%
Turnout 293,895 100.00%
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ "Ustrud Enters Battle For Party Nomination As Opponent Of Berry". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. February 27, 1934. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 629.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ "W. C. Allen, Aberdeen, to Run for Republican Nomination for Governor in May 1 Race: Farm Magazine Publisher Announces Candidacy After Appeals From Friends". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. March 23, 1934. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "Otto L. Kaas". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  5. ^ "Daniel K. Loucks". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  6. ^ "Chalres A. Alseth". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.