| Election Name: | 1972 South Dakota gubernatorial election |
| Country: | South Dakota |
| Flag Year: | 1963 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1970 South Dakota gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1970 |
| Next Election: | 1974 South Dakota gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1974 |
| Image1: | File:Dick Kneip.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Richard F. Kneip |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Running Mate1: | Bill Dougherty |
| Popular Vote1: | 185,012 |
| Percentage1: | 60.0% |
| Nominee2: | Carveth Thompson |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 123,165 |
| Percentage2: | 40.0% |
| Map Size: | 260px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Richard F. Kneip |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Richard F. Kneip |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1972 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972, to elect a Governor of South Dakota. It was the last election in South Dakota to elect the governor for a two-year term after a 1972 state constitutional amendment established a four-year term.[1] Democratic nominee Richard F. Kneip was re-elected, defeating Republican nominee Carveth Thompson. Despite incumbent Republican President Richard Nixon winning The state with 62% of the vote on the same ballot.