Biggest governor landslides in South Dakota
The biggest landslide in a South Dakota governor’s race was in 2014, a margin of 45.0 points. Dennis Daugaard beat Susan Wismer, 195,477 to 70,549. Next widest are 1904 (43.6 points) and 1982 (41.8 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race South Dakota has held, special elections included, see the South Dakota governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a South Dakota governor’s race?
The widest margin in a South Dakota gubernatorial general election came in 2014, 45.0 points. Dennis Daugaard beat Susan Wismer, 195,477 to 70,549. Next are 1904 (43.6 points) and 1982 (41.8 points).
Why do some huge wins not appear?
A blowout only counts here when somebody real finished second, which means at least 5% of the vote. Without that rule the list fills with uncontested races and with contests where the record is simply missing the major opponent, both of which show the winner near 100%.
Does this include recalls and special elections?
No, only regular general elections for governor. The South Dakota governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014 | Dennis Daugaard R def. Susan Wismer D | 195,477 – 70,549 | +45.0 points |
| 2 | 1904 | Samuel H. Elrod R def. Louis N. Crill D | 68,561 – 24,772 | +43.6 points |
| 3 | 1982 | Bill Janklow R def. Mike O'Connor D | 197,429 – 81,136 | +41.8 points |
| 4 | 1952 | Sigurd Anderson R def. Sherman A. Iverson D | 203,102 – 86,413 | +40.3 points |
| 5 | 1889 | Arthur C. Mellette R def. P. F. McClure D | 53,964 – 23,840 | +38.7 points |
| 6 | 1906 | Coe I. Crawford R def. John A. Stransky D | 48,709 – 19,923 | +38.6 points |
| 7 | 1902 | Charles N. Herreid R def. John W. Martin D | 48,196 – 21,396 | +36.0 points |
| 8 | 1946 | George Mickelson R def. Richard Haeder D | 108,998 – 53,294 | +34.3 points |
| 9 | 1998 | Bill Janklow R def. Bernie Hunhoff D | 166,621 – 85,473 | +31.1 points |
| 10 | 1944 | Merrell Q. Sharpe R def. Lynn Fellows D | 148,646 – 78,276 | +31.0 points |
| 11 | 1924 | Carl Gunderson R def. William J. Bulow D | 109,894 – 46,663 | +31.0 points |
| 12 | 1920 | William H. McMaster R def. Mark P. Bates N | 103,592 – 48,426 | +30.2 points |
| 13 | 1918 | Peter Norbeck R def. Mark P. Bates N | 51,175 – 25,118 | +27.1 points |
| 14 | 2022 | Kristi Noem R def. Jamie Smith D | 217,035 – 123,148 | +26.8 points |
| 15 | 2006 | Mike Rounds R def. Jack Billion D | 206,990 – 121,226 | +25.6 points |
| 16 | 1942 | Merrell Q. Sharpe R def. Lewis W. Bicknell D | 109,786 – 68,706 | +23.0 points |
| 17 | 2010 | Dennis Daugaard R def. Scott Heidepriem D | 195,024 – 122,010 | +23.0 points |
| 18 | 1910 | Robert S. Vessey R def. Chauncey L. Wood D | 61,744 – 37,983 | +22.5 points |
| 19 | 1948 | George Mickelson R def. Harold J. Volz D | 149,883 – 95,489 | +22.2 points |
| 20 | 1950 | Sigurd Anderson R def. Joe Robbie D | 154,254 – 99,062 | +21.8 points |
| 21 | 1972 | Richard F. Kneip D def. Carveth Thompson R | 185,012 – 123,165 | +20.0 points |
| 22 | 1894 | Charles H. Sheldon R def. Isaac Howe P | 40,381 – 26,568 | +18.0 points |
| 23 | 1934 | Tom Berry D def. William C. Allen R | 172,228 – 119,477 | +18.0 points |
| 24 | 1990 | George Mickelson R def. Bob Samuelson D | 151,198 – 105,525 | +17.8 points |
| 25 | 1916 | Peter Norbeck R def. Orville V. Rinehart D | 72,789 – 50,545 | +17.3 points |