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      Home/Elections/1956/Governor/South Dakota
      1956·Governor·South Dakota

      South Dakota Governor

      Winner
      REP
      Joe Foss
      54.4%158,819 votes
      Runner-up
      DEM
      Ralph Herseth
      45.6%133,198 votes
      Margin
      R+8.8
      292,017 total votes
      2 candidates292,017 total votes
      CandidatePartyVotes ▼%Vote Share
      Joe FossREP✓
      		REP158,81954.4%
      Ralph HersethDEM
      		DEM133,19845.6%

      Seat History

      Governor in South Dakota

      2022
      Kristi L NoemREP
      R+26.8
      2018
      Kristi L NoemREP
      R+3.5
      2014
      Dennis DaugaardREP
      R+45.0
      2010
      Dennis DaugaardREP
      R+23.0
      2006
      Michael RoundsREP
      R+25.6
      2002
      Michael RoundsREP
      R+14.8
      1998
      William J JanklowREP
      R+31.2
      1994
      William J JanklowREP
      R+14.8
      1990
      George S MickelsonREP
      R+17.8
      1986
      George S MickelsonREP
      R+3.6
      1982
      William J JanklowREP
      R+41.8
      1978
      William J JanklowREP
      R+13.3
      1974
      Richard Francis KneipDEM
      D+7.2
      1972
      Richard Francis KneipDEM
      D+20.1
      1970
      Richard Francis KneipDEM
      D+9.7
      View all Governor history for South Dakota →

      Candidates

      Joe FossREP
      Record2W-0L
      Avg MarginR+11.1
      Career1954-1956
      Governor
      Full profile →
      Ralph HersethDEM
      Record1W-3L
      Avg MarginR+4.9
      Career1956-1962
      Governor
      Full profile →

      Also in South Dakota, 1956

      President1 contest →US Senate1 contest →
      ← All 1956 Governor races1956 overviewSouth Dakota profileAll elections