1946 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1946 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1944 November 5, 1946 1948 →
 
Nominee George T. Mickelson Richard Haeder
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 108,998 53,294
Percentage 67.16% 32.84%

County results
Mickelson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Haeder:      50–60%      80–90%

Governor before election

Merrell Q. Sharpe
Republican

Elected Governor

George T. Mickelson
Republican

The 1946 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1946. Incumbent Republican Governor Merrell Q. Sharpe ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated in the Republican primary by Attorney General George T. Mickelson. In the general election, Mickelson faced farmer Richard Haeder, the Democratic nominee. In part because of South Dakota's growing trend toward the Republican Party, and because of the national Republican landslide, Mickelson easily defeated Haeder, winning 67% of the vote to Haeder's 33%.