1974 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1974 South Dakota gubernatorial election

November 5, 1974 (1974-11-05)

Nominee Richard F. Kneip John E. Olson Party Democratic Republican Running mate Harvey L. Wollman Charles Clay Popular vote 149,151 129,077 Percentage 53.6% 46.4%

County results Kneip:      50–60%      60–70% Olson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Richard F. Kneip Democratic Governor Richard F. Kneip Democratic

The 1974 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974, to elect a Governor of South Dakota. This election was the first in South Dakota to elect the governor for a four-year term, after it was allowed by a constitutional amendment passed in 1972. Democratic nominee and Governor Richard F. Kneip was re-elected, defeating Republican nominee John E. Olson. As of 2024, this is the last time that a Democrat was elected Governor of South Dakota, marking the start of the longest Republican winning streak in the country for a state's governorship, as well as the longest gubernatorial winning streak by a single party.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Richard F. Kneip, incumbent Governor of South Dakota
• Bill Dougherty, Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Richard F. Kneip (Incumbent)	45,932	66.19
	Democratic	Bill Dougherty	23,467	33.81
Total votes			69,399	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• John E. Olson
• Ronald F. Williamson
• Oscar W. Hagen

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John E. Olson	49,973	55.57
	Republican	Ronald F. Williamson	25,509	28.37
	Republican	Oscar W. Hagen	14,444	16.06
Total votes			89,926	100.00

General election

Results

South Dakota gubernatorial election, 1978

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Richard F. Kneip (inc.)	149,151	53.61
	Republican	John E. Olson	129,077	46.39
Total votes			278,228	100.00
	Democratic hold