How Can We Help?
< Back

The 1986 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator James Abdnor ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democrat and future Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.[1] This election was the only United States Senate election in South Dakota that Daschle would win by a narrow margin.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican Primary results by county:
  Abdnor
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  Janklow
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%

Although Abdnor won the primary by a fairly comfortable margin, it hurt him badly. Daschle was uncontested for the Democratic nomination and therefore was able to focus on the general election early, while Abdnor had to fight a challenge from a popular incumbent governor. Many political analysts[who?] say this was one of the factors in Abdnor's general election loss.[citation needed]

Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Abdnor (incumbent) 63,414 54.51%
Republican Bill Janklow 52,924 45.49%
Total votes 116,338 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

General election results[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tom Daschle 152,657 51.60% +12.21%
Republican James Abdnor (incumbent) 143,173 48.40% −9.80%
Total votes 295,830 100.00% N/A
Democratic gain from Republican

See also

References

Categories
Table of Contents