United States Senate election in South Dakota, 1986

United States Senate election in South Dakota, 1986

November 4, 1986

Nominee Tom Daschle James Abdnor Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 152,657 143,173 Percentage 51.6% 48.4%

County results

U.S. Senator before election James Abdnor Republican Elected U.S. Senator Tom Daschle Democratic

Elections in South Dakota
Federal government Presidential Elections 1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 Presidential Primaries Democratic 2008 Republican 2008 2012 U.S. Senate elections 1980 1986 1992 1996 1998 2002 2004 2008 2010 2014 2016 U.S. House elections 2002 2004 (special) 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016
State government General elections 2014 Gubernatorial elections 1889 1890 1892 1894 1896 1898 1900 1902 1904 1906 1972 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014
Ballot measures 2006 Amendment C

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 Tom Daschle.^[1]

Republican primary

Candidates

• James Abdnor, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Bill Janklow, Governor of South Dakota

Results

Despite Abdnor winning 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 an incumbent governor. Many political analysts say this was one of the factors in Abdnor's general election loss.

General election

Candidates

• James Abdnor (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
• Tom Daschle (D), U.S. Representative

Results

References