1920 United States Senate election in South Dakota

Summary

The 1920 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 2, 1920. Incumbent Democratic Senator Edwin S. Johnson declined to seek re-election to a second term.[1] In the Democratic primary, attorney Ulysses Simpson Grant Cherry defeated former State Senator Louis Napoleon Crill and former U.S. Marshal Tom Taubman, while in the Republican primary, Governor Peter Norbeck defeated former State Supreme Court Justice Dick Haney. In the general election, Cherry and Norbeck faced a litany of independent candidates, including Nonpartisan League candidate Tom Ayres. Benefiting from the split in left-wing candidates, Norbeck won by a wide margin, with Ayres narrowly beating out Cherry for second place.

1920 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1914 November 2, 1920 1926 →
 
Nominee Peter Norbeck Tom Ayres
Party Republican Nonpartisan League
Popular vote 92,267 44,309
Percentage 50.10% 24.06%

 
Nominee U. S. G. Cherry R. O. Richards
Party Democratic Independent
Popular vote 36,833 10,032
Percentage 20.00% 5.45%

County results
Norbeck:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Ayres:      30-40%      40–50%      50–60%
Richards:      30–40%
No Vote:      

U.S. senator before election

Edwin S. Johnson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Peter Norbeck
Republican

Democratic primary edit

Candidates edit

Results edit

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ulysses Simpson Grant Cherry 2,821 38.64%
Democratic Louis Napoleon Crill 2,675 36.64%
Democratic Tom Taubman 1,805 24.72%
Total votes 7,301 100.00%

Republican primary edit

Candidates edit

Results edit

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter Norbeck 43,893 58.71%
Republican Dick Haney 30,870 41.29%
Total votes 74,763 100.00%

General election edit

Results edit

1920 United States Senate election in South Dakota[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Peter Norbeck 92,267 50.10% +5.63%
Nonpartisan League Tom Ayres 44,309 24.06%
Democratic U. S. G. Cherry 36,833 20.00% -28.32%
Independent R. O. Richards 10,032 5.45%
Independent L. J. Manbeck 738 0.40%
Majority 47,958 26.04% +22.19%
Turnout 184,179
Republican gain from Democratic

References edit

  1. ^ "This Democrat Chosen to Run After Two Jobs: L. N. Crill, of Elk Point, Is Candidate for Senate and for Presidential Elector". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. March 15, 1920. p. 10. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  2. ^ Tingley, Ralph R. (1982). "The Crowded Field: Eight Men for the Senate". In Pressler, Larry (ed.). U.S. Senators from the Prairie. South Dakota Press. pp. 316–336. ISBN 9780882490335.
  3. ^ "Louis Napoleon Crill". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "Thomas W. Taubman Collection". South Dakota State Historical Society. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 626.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^ "Haney". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 9, 2021.