The 1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Republican Governor Harlan J. Bushfield sought re-election to a second term. After winning the Republican primary by a large margin, he faced Democrat Lewis W. Bicknell, former Day County State's Attorney, in the general election. Though Bushfield underperformed Republican presidential nominee Wendell Willkie, who won the state in a landslide, he nonetheless defeated Bicknell by a wide margin to easily win re-election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Lewis W. Bicknell, former Day County State's Attorney,[1] former Chairman of the State Department of Public Welfare,[2]1932 Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate[3]
Almer O. Steensland, former State Representative from Charles Mix County[4]
^"Day County Officers Will Assume Duties". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. January 10, 1935. p. 11. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^Beckwith, J. W.; Price, Alice M. (1935). South Dakota Legislative Manual 1935. Pierre, S.D. p. 104.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^Hillgren, Ralph O. (January 6, 1940). "Democrats to Stage Kick-Off in 1940 Political War Monday: National Aims, State Offices Hold Interest". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. p. 10. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^"Steensland Will Run For Governor's Post". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. January 6, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^ a b cNelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 631.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^"Mitchell Meeting Planned To Pick Bushfield Opponent". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, S.D. February 10, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^"Adolph Nelson Graff". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 13, 2021.