1956 United States Senate election in South Dakota

1956 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1950 November 6, 1956 1962 →
 
Nominee Francis Case Kenneth Holum
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 147,621 143,001
Percentage 50.79% 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

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.

  1. ^ "The People Spoke Wisely". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. November 7, 1956. p. 17. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "South Dakota Poll... Lovre-McGovern Race Shapes Up As Closest". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. November 4, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "Democrats Keep Control of Congress: Bible, Morse Wins Decide Senate Issue". Lead Daily Call. Lead, S.D. November 7, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved June 10, 2021.