1942 United States Senate election in South Dakota

1942 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Harlan J. Bushfield Tom Berry
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 106,704 74,945
Percentage 58.74% 41.26%

County results
Bushfield:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Berry:      50–60%      60–70%
No Vote:      

U.S. senator before election

William J. Bulow
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Harlan J. Bushfield
Republican

The 1942 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 3, 1942. Incumbent Democratic Senator William J. Bulow ran for re-election to a third term. During the primary, Bulow was attacked for being insufficiently supportive of President Franklin Roosevelt's foreign policy and war preparedness. Former Governor Tom Berry, Bulow's chief opponent, drew a contrast between Bulow's isolationism and his support for Roosevelt's policies.[1] In the end, Berry defeated Bulow in a landslide, and advanced to the general election, where he faced Harlan J. Bushfield, the incumbent Republican Governor of South Dakota. As Republicans gained ground nationwide, Bushfield defeated Berry in a landslide to pick up the seat for the Republican Party. Bushfield did not serve his full term, however; shortly before the 1948 U.S. Senate election, he died.

  1. ^ Mikkelson, Gordon; Milner, Harold S. (May 2, 1942). "Bulow-Berry Isolationism Fight And Four-Way Gubernatorial Tilt Highlight S. D. Political Battle". Evening Huronite. Huron, S.D. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.