The 1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986 to elect the Governor of South Dakota. Incumbent Bill Janklow was term-limited, so the field for the new governor was open. Republican nominee George S. Mickelson was elected, defeating Democratic nominee Ralph Lars Herseth.
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County results Mickelson: 50–60% 60–70% Herseth: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | George S. Mickelson | 40,979 | 35.30 | |
Republican | Clint Roberts | 37,250 | 32.08 | |
Republican | Lowell Hansen | 21,884 | 18.85 | |
Republican | Alice Kundert | 15,985 | 13.77 | |
Total votes | 116,098 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ralph Lars Herseth | 30,801 | 42.81 | |
Democratic | Richard F. Kneip | 27,811 | 38.66 | |
Democratic | Kenneth D. Stofferahn | 13,332 | 18.53 | |
Total votes | 71,944 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | George S. Mickelson | 152,543 | 51.81 | |
Democratic | Ralph Lars Herseth | 141,898 | 48.19 | |
Total votes | 294,441 | 100.00 | ||
Republican hold |