1942 United States Senate election in South Dakota

The 1942 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 3, 1942. Incumbent Democratic Senator William J. Bulow ran for re-election to a third term. During the primary, Bulow was attacked for being insufficiently supportive of President Franklin Roosevelt's foreign policy and war preparedness. Former Governor Tom Berry, Bulow's chief opponent, drew a contrast between Bulow's isolationism and his support for Roosevelt's policies.^[1] In the end, Berry defeated Bulow in a landslide, and advanced to the general election, where he faced Harlan J. Bushfield, the incumbent Republican Governor of South Dakota. As Republicans gained ground nationwide, Bushfield defeated Berry in a landslide to pick up the seat for the Republican Party. Bushfield did not serve his full term, however; shortly before the 1948 U.S. Senate election, he died.

1942 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →

Nominee Harlan J. Bushfield Tom Berry Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 106,704 74,945 Percentage 58.74% 41.26%

County results Bushfield:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Berry:      50–60%      60–70% No Vote:

U.S. senator before election William J. Bulow Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Harlan J. Bushfield Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Tom Berry, former Governor of South Dakota
• William J. Bulow, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Edward Prchal, former member of the South Dakota Board of Regents^[2]

Results

Democratic primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Tom Berry	25,454	64.60%
	Democratic	William J. Bulow (inc.)	10,956	27.80%
	Democratic	Edward Prchal	2,994	7.60%
Total votes			39,404	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Harlan J. Bushfield, Governor of South Dakota
• Olive A. Ringsrud, Secretary of State of South Dakota

Results

Republican primary^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Harlan J. Bushfield	52,342	63.32%
	Republican	Olive A. Ringsrud	30,325	36.68%
Total votes			82,667	100.00%

General election

Results

1942 United States Senate election in South Dakota^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Harlan J. Bushfield	106,704	58.74%	+12.00%
	Democratic	Tom Berry	74,945	41.26%	−7.57%
Majority			31,759	17.48%	+15.40%
Turnout			181,649	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic

References

1. Mikkelson, Gordon; Milner, Harold S. (May 2, 1942). "Bulow-Berry Isolationism Fight And Four-Way Gubernatorial Tilt Highlight S. D. Political Battle". Evening Huronite. Huron, S.D. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
2. "Prchal to Run Against Bulow: Former Board of Regents Member to Seek Democratic Nomination". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. January 14, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 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)