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1978
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Governor
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South Dakota
1978
·
Governor
·
South Dakota
South Dakota Governor
Winner
REP
William J Janklow
56.6%
147,116 votes
Runner-up
DEM
Roger McKellips
43.4%
112,679 votes
Margin
R+13.3
259,795
total votes
2 candidates
259,795 total votes
Export CSV
Candidate
Party
Votes ▼
%
Vote Share
William J Janklow
REP
✓
REP
147,116
56.6%
Roger McKellips
DEM
DEM
112,679
43.4%
Seat History
Governor in South Dakota
2022
Kristi L Noem
REP
R+26.8
2018
Kristi L Noem
REP
R+3.5
2014
Dennis Daugaard
REP
R+45.0
2010
Dennis Daugaard
REP
R+23.0
2006
Michael Rounds
REP
R+25.6
2002
Michael Rounds
REP
R+14.8
1998
William J Janklow
REP
R+31.2
1994
William J Janklow
REP
R+14.8
1990
George S Mickelson
REP
R+17.8
1986
George S Mickelson
REP
R+3.6
1982
William J Janklow
REP
R+41.8
1974
Richard Francis Kneip
DEM
D+7.2
1972
Richard Francis Kneip
DEM
D+20.1
1970
Richard Francis Kneip
DEM
D+9.7
View all Governor history for South Dakota →
Candidates
Roger McKellips
DEM
Record
8W-1L
Avg Margin
D+16.4
Career
1976-1992
State Senate / Governor
Full profile →
William J Janklow
REP
Record
5W-0L
Avg Margin
R+25.3
Career
1978-2002
US House / Governor
Full profile →
Also in South Dakota, 1978
US Senate
1 contest →
US House
2 contests →
← All 1978 Governor races
1978 overview
South Dakota profile
All elections