1918 United States Senate election in South Dakota

The 1918 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 5, 1918. Incumbent Republican Senator Thomas Sterling sought re-election in his first popular election. He defeated former Governor Frank M. Byrne in the Republican primary and then faced former State Representative Orville Rinehart, the 1916 Democratic nominee for Governor, in the general election. Sterling defeated Rinehart, along with independent candidate W. T. Rafferty, by a wide margin to win re-election.

1918 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Thomas Sterling Orville V. Rinehart W. T. Rafferty Party Republican Democratic Independent Popular vote 51,198 36,210 5,560 Percentage 55.07% 38.95% 5.98%

County results Sterling:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Rinehart:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% No Vote:

U.S. senator before election Thomas Sterling Republican Elected U.S. Senator Thomas Sterling Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Orville V. Rinehart, former State Representative from Pennington County, 1916 Democratic nominee for Governor^[1]
• James Coffey, Internal Revenue Collector for North and South Dakota^[2]
• John E. Kelley, former U.S. Congressman from South Dakota's at-large congressional district^[2]

Results

Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Orville V. Rinehart	3,848	40.92%
	Democratic	James Coffey	2,949	31.36%
	Democratic	John E. Kelley	2,606	27.71%
Total votes			9,403	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Thomas Sterling, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Frank M. Byrne, former Governor of South Dakota

Results

Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Thomas Sterling (inc.)	21,516	55.48%
	Republican	Frank M. Byrne	17,264	44.52%
Total votes			38,780	100.00%

Socialist Primary

Candidates

• John C. Knapp

Results

Socialist primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Socialist	John C. Knapp	252	100.00%
Total votes			252	100.00%

After winning the primary, Knapp withdrew as a candidate, citing his disagreement with the Socialist Party's anti-war policies.^[4]

General election

Results

1918 United States Senate election in South Dakota^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Thomas Sterling (inc.)	51,198	55.07%
	Democratic	Orville V. Rinehart	36,210	38.95%
	Independent	W. T. Rafferty	5,560	5.98%
Majority			14,988	16.12%
Total votes			92,968	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Orville V. Rinehart". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
2. Burkholder, Alfred (March 18, 1918). "Republican Papers Stand by Sterling". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. p. 9. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
3. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 623.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
4. "Two Upstate Socialist Candidates Withdraw". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. August 27, 1918. p. 10. Retrieved June 10, 2021.