1912 South Dakota gubernatorial election

The 1912 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1912. Incumbent Republican Governor Robert S. Vessey declined to run for re-election to a third term. Lieutenant Governor Frank M. Byrne won the Republican primary to succeed Vessey, and then faced State Senator Edwin S. Johnson, the Democratic nominee, in the general election. Byrne only narrowly defeated Johnson, winning just 49% of the vote to Johnson's 46%, the closest gubernatorial election since 1898.

1912 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1910 November 5, 1912 1914 →

Nominee Frank M. Byrne Edwin S. Johnson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 57,161 53,850 Percentage 48.51% 45.70%

County results Byrne:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Johnson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% No Vote:

Governor before election Robert S. Vessey Republican Elected Governor Frank M. Byrne Republican

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 4, 1912.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Edwin S. Johnson, former State Senator^[1]
• P. F. Wickhem, former State Senator^[2]

Results

Democratic primary results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edwin S. Johnson	7,092	55.32%
	Democratic	P. F. Wickhem	5,727	44.68%
Total votes			12,819	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Frank M. Byrne, Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
• George W. Egan, disbarred attorney, 1910 Republican candidate for Governor
• Loomis S. Cull, Registrar of the Rapid City United States Land Office^[4]

Results

Republican primary results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank M. Byrne	38,660	51.74%
	Republican	George W. Egan	29,481	39.46%
	Republican	Loomis S. Cull	6,576	8.80%
Total votes			74,717	100.00%

Prohibition primary

Candidates

• O. W. Butterfield, Prohibition candidate for Governor in 1910

Results

Prohibition primary results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Prohibition	O. W. Butterfield	636	100.00%
Total votes			636	100.00%

Socialist primary

Candidates

• Samuel Lovett

Results

Socialist primary results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Socialist	Samuel Lovett	636	100.00%
Total votes			636	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Edwin S. Johnson, Democratic
• Frank M. Byrne, Republican
• O. W. Butterfield, Prohibition
• Samuel Lovett, Socialist

Results

1912 South Dakota gubernatorial election^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Frank M. Byrne	57,160	48.51%	−9.84%
	Democratic	Edwin S. Johnson	53,850	45.70%	+9.81%
	Socialist	Samuel Lovett	3,479	2.95%	—
	Prohibition	O. W. Butterfield	3,339	2.83%	−1.42%
Majority			3,310	2.81%	−19.65%
Turnout			117,828	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Edwin S. Johnson". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
2. "P. F. Wickhem". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
3. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 631.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
4. "Cull to Stay in the Race". Pierre Weekly Free Press. Pierre, S.D. January 25, 1912. p. 1. Retrieved June 12, 2021.