1944 South Dakota gubernatorial election

The 1944 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1944. Incumbent Republican Governor Merrell Q. Sharpe ran for re-election to a second term. He was opposed Lynn Fellows, a former State Representative from Aurora County^[1] the 1942 Democratic nominee for Attorney General, in the general election; both Sharpe and Fellows won their primaries unopposed.^[2] In the general election, Sharpe easily defeated Fellows, far outpacing even Republican presidential nominee Thomas E. Dewey, who won the state in a landslide.

1944 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1942 November 7, 1944 1946 →

Nominee Merrell Q. Sharpe Lynn Fellows Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 148,646 78,276 Percentage 65.51% 34.49%

County results Sharpe:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Fellows:      70–80%

Governor before election Merrell Q. Sharpe Republican Elected Governor Merrell Q. Sharpe Republican

Results

1944 South Dakota gubernatorial election^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Merrell Q. Sharpe (inc.)	148,646	65.51%	+4.00%
	Democratic	Lynn Fellows	78,276	34.49%	−4.00%
Majority			70,370	31.01%	+8.00%
Turnout			226,922	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Lynn Fellows". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
2. "Demo Delegates Undecided—Few Turn Out To Vote". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. May 3, 1944. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
3. Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 632.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

Bibliography

• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.