1986 United States Senate election in South Dakota

1986 United States Senate election in South Dakota

November 4, 1986

Nominee Tom Daschle James Abdnor Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 152,657 143,173 Percentage 51.60% 48.40%

County results Daschle:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Abdnor:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election James Abdnor Republican Elected U.S. Senator Tom Daschle Democratic

The 1986 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator James Abdnor ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democrat and future Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle. This election was the only United States Senate election in South Dakota that Daschle would win by a narrow margin.

Republican primary

Candidates

• James Abdnor, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Bill Janklow, Governor of South Dakota

Results

Republican Primary results by county:

  Abdnor

•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%
•   80–90%

  Janklow

•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%

Although Abdnor won the primary by a fairly comfortable margin, it hurt him badly. Daschle was uncontested for the Democratic nomination and therefore was able to focus on the general election early, while Abdnor had to fight a challenge from a popular incumbent governor. Many political analysts say this was one of the factors in Abdnor's general election loss.

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James Abdnor (incumbent)	63,414	54.51%
	Republican	Bill Janklow	52,924	45.49%
Total votes			116,338	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• James Abdnor (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
• Tom Daschle (D), U.S. Representative

Results

General election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Tom Daschle	152,657	51.60%	+12.21%
	Republican	James Abdnor (incumbent)	143,173	48.40%	−9.80%
Total votes			295,830	100.00%	N/A
	Democratic gain from Republican

See also

• 1986 United States Senate elections