1934 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1934 South Dakota gubernatorial election
	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

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.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Tom Berry, incumbent Governor
Hans Ustrud, Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota^[1]

Results

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

Candidates

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

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

Results

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

^ "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.
^ ^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)
^ "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.
^ "Otto L. Kaas". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^ "Daniel K. Loucks". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^ "Chalres A. Alseth". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.

[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.

[2005_legislative_manual-2] 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.

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