1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota

none March 2026 September 2023 1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota South Dakota 1909 presidential no 1948 United States Senate election in South Dakota 1948 1960 United States Senate election in South Dakota 1960 November 2, 1954 150x150px File:Rep. Karl Mundt, Repub., of S.D., 2-21-40 LCCN2016877155 (cropped).jpg Karl E. Mundt Republican Party (United States) 135,071 57.30% 3x4.svg Kenneth Holum Democratic Party (United States) 100,674 42.70% 240px 1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota results map by county.svg County resultsMundt: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Holum: #7996e2 50–60% U.S. Senator Karl E. Mundt Republican Party (United States) Karl E. Mundt Republican Party (United States) The 1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 2, 1954. Incumbent Republican Senator Karl E. Mundt ran for re-election to his second term. He was opposed by former State Representative Kenneth Holum, the Democratic nominee. Mundt defeated Holum in a landslide to win re-election. Primary elections Both Mundt and Holum won their primaries without opposition. Mundt announced that he would seek a second term on December 31, 1953, amid speculation that Governor Sigurd Anderson would challenge him in the Republican primary.December 31, 1953 Sen. Mundt Announces; First Candidate So Far Rapid City Journal Rapid City, S.D. 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/351280609/ June 10, 2021 However, on February 9, 1954, Anderson announced that he wouldn't challenge Mundt, and would instead retire rather than seek re-election.February 9, 1954 Anderson Is Not a Candidate: Plans for Future Not Announced Argus Leader Sioux Falls, S.D. 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/229985338/ June 10, 2021 No candidates emerged against Mundt until Kenneth Holum, a former State Representative from Groton,https://sdlegislature.gov/Historical/Legislator/Profile/2813 Kenneth Holum Historical Listing South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council June 10, 2021 announced his campaign on April 5, 1954.April 3, 1954 Report Says Holum to Oppose Mundt in Bid for Senate Job Argus Leader Sioux Falls, S.D. 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/230225268/ June 10, 2021 Former State Senator David L. Wickens announced that he would challenge Mundt in the Republican primary,April 9, 1954 GOP Senate Race in S.D. Assured as David Wickens Announces for Mundt Job Argus Leader Sioux Falls, S.D. 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/230227612/ June 10, 2021 but was unable to gather a sufficient number of petitions and dropped out of the race.May 2, 1954 Wickens Fails To File Petitions Rapid City Journal Rapid City, S.D. 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/351449533/ June 10, 2021 With Wickens out of the race, no other candidates emerged, and Mundt and Holum faced no opposition for their parties' nominations. Accordingly, both races were removed from the primary election ballot.May 3, 1954 With Wickens Out, Way Clear For Sen. Mundt Milner Harold S. Argus Leader Sioux Falls, S.D. 1, 4 https://www.newspapers.com/image/351449989/ June 10, 2021 General election Results 1954 United States Senate election in South DakotaNelson Nelson Heinrich Chad W. 2005 Chapter 8: Elections Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005 http://sdsdl-montage.auto-graphics.com/#/item-details/entities_1092?from=search-results Pierre, S.D. 634 Republican Party (United States) Karl E. Mundt (inc.) 135,071 57.30% -2.04% Democratic Party (United States) Kenneth Holum 100,674 42.70% +2.04% 34,397 14.59% -4.08% 242,833 100.00% Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) References South Dakota Category:United States Senate elections in South Dakota Category:1954 South Dakota elections