1950 United States Senate election in South Dakota

The 1950 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 7, 1950. Incumbent Republican senator Chan Gurney ran for re-election to a third term. He was challenged in the Republican primary by Congressman Francis H. Case, who had represented the 2nd District since 1939. In the general election, Case faced John A. Engel, an attorney and the 1948 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. As the Republican Party was making significant gains nationwide, Case defeated Engel in a landslide.

1950 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1944November 7, 19501956 →
 
NomineeFrancis H. CaseJohn A. Engel
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote160,67090,692
Percentage63.92%36.08%

County results
Case:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Engel:      50–60%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Chan Gurney
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Francis H. Case
Republican

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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  • John A. Engel, attorney, 1948 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate[1]
  • John S. Tschetter, Mayor of Huron[2]

Results

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Democratic primary[3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJohn A. Engel 18,944 59.11%
DemocraticJohn S. Tschetter13,10440.89%
Total votes32,048 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary[3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanFrancis H. Case 59,314 58.07%
RepublicanChan Gurney (inc.)42,82341.93%
Total votes102,137 100.00%

General election

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Results

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1950 United States Senate election in South Dakota[3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanFrancis H. Case 160,670 63.92% +0.06%
DemocraticJohn A. Engel90,69236.08%-0.06%
Majority69,97827.84%+0.12%
Turnout251,352
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ "Engel Seeks Demo Senate Nomination". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. April 5, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "Engel-Tschetter Fight". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. May 7, 1950. p. 36. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 628.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)