1944 South Dakota gubernatorial election

The 1944 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1944. Incumbent Republican Governor Merrell Q. Sharpe ran for re-election to a second term. He was opposed Lynn Fellows, a former State Representative from Aurora County[1] the 1942 Democratic nominee for Attorney General, in the general election; both Sharpe and Fellows won their primaries unopposed.[2] In the general election, Sharpe easily defeated Fellows, far outpacing even Republican presidential nominee Thomas E. Dewey, who won the state in a landslide.

1944 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1942 November 7, 1944 1946 →
 
Nominee Merrell Q. Sharpe Lynn Fellows
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 148,646 78,276
Percentage 65.51% 34.49%

County results
Sharpe:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Fellows:      70–80%

Governor before election

Merrell Q. Sharpe
Republican

Elected Governor

Merrell Q. Sharpe
Republican

Results

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1944 South Dakota gubernatorial election[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Merrell Q. Sharpe (inc.) 148,646 65.51% +4.00%
Democratic Lynn Fellows 78,276 34.49% −4.00%
Majority 70,370 31.01% +8.00%
Turnout 226,922 100.00%
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ "Lynn Fellows". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  2. ^ "Demo Delegates Undecided—Few Turn Out To Vote". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. May 3, 1944. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 632.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

Bibliography

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  • Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.