1966 United States Senate election in South Dakota explained

Election Name:1966 United States Senate election in South Dakota
Country:South Dakota
Flag Year:1963
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1960 United States Senate election in South Dakota
Previous Year:1960
Next Election:1972 United States Senate election in South Dakota
Next Year:1972
Election Date:November 8, 1966
Image1:File:Rep. Karl Mundt, Repub., of S.D., 2-21-40 LCCN2016877155 (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Karl Mundt
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:150,517
Percentage1:66.28%
Nominee2:Donn H. Wright
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:76,563
Percentage2:33.72%
Map Size:260px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Karl E. Mundt
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Karl E. Mundt
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1966 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 8, 1966. Incumbent Republican Senator Karl E. Mundt ran for re-election to his fourth term. He was challenged in the Republican primary by a John Birch Society member, but easily turned away the challenge. In the general election, he faced State Representative Donn Wright, the Democratic nominee. Owing in large part to the Republican landslide taking place nationwide, Mundt defeated Wright by an unprecedented margin.

Democratic primary

State Representative Donn Wright from Aurora County announced that he would run against Mundt on April 18, 1966, the only Democratic candidate to do so.[1] As Wright was the only candidate to file for the nomination, he won the primary unopposed and the race was removed from the primary election ballot.[2]

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Results

Notes and References

  1. News: April 18, 1966. Donn Wright Is Demo Candidate For U. S. Senate. Mitchell Daily Republic. Mitchell, S.D.. 1. June 10, 2021.
  2. News: May 11, 1966. Demos Have 2 Contests For Precinct Committee Posts. Daily Plainsman. Huron, S.D.. 20. June 10, 2021.
  3. News: September 8, 1965. Murphy To Seek Nomination For U. S. Senate In Primary. Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D.. 1. June 10, 2021.
  4. News: January 15, 1966. About Town. Trandahl. Ed. Mitchell Daily Republic. Mitchell, S.D.. 3. June 10, 2021.