1956 United States Senate election in South Dakota

The 1956 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 6, 1956. Incumbent Republican Senator Francis H. Case ran for re-election to a second term. In the general election, Case was opposed by former State Representative Kenneth Holum, who was the 1954 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. Owing in part to anger among the state's farmers,[1] the race between Case and Holum was quite close,[2] with Holum leading Case on election night and only falling behind the next day. Case ended up narrowly winning re-election,[3] defeating Holum by just 4,620 votes.

1956 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1950November 6, 19561962 →
 
NomineeFrancis H. CaseKenneth Holum
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote147,621143,001
Percentage50.79%49.21%

County results
Case:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Holum:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Francis H. Case
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Francis H. Case
Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Kenneth Holum, former State Representative, 1954 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate[4]
  • Merton B. Time, Mitchell municipal judge, attorney[5]

Results

Democratic primary[6]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticKenneth Holum 23,464 60.85%
DemocraticMerton B. Tice15,09939.15%
Total votes38,563 100.00%

Republican primary

Incumbent U.S. Senator Francis H. Case was the only Republican candidate to file for the U.S. Senate, removing the race from the primary ballot.[7]

General election

Results

1956 United States Senate election in South Dakota[6]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanFrancis H. Case (inc.) 147,621 50.79% -13.12%
DemocraticKenneth Holum143,00149.21%+13.12%
Majority4,6201.59%-26.25%
Turnout290,622
Republican hold

References