1918 United States Senate election in South Dakota

The 1918 United States Senate election in South Dakota took place on November 5, 1918. Incumbent Republican Senator Thomas Sterling sought re-election in his first popular election. He defeated former Governor Frank M. Byrne in the Republican primary and then faced former State Representative Orville Rinehart, the 1916 Democratic nominee for Governor, in the general election. Sterling defeated Rinehart, along with independent candidate W. T. Rafferty, by a wide margin to win re-election.

1918 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →
 
Nominee Thomas Sterling Orville V. Rinehart W. T. Rafferty
Party Republican Democratic Independent
Popular vote 51,198 36,210 5,560
Percentage 55.07% 38.95% 5.98%

County results
Sterling:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Rinehart:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
No Vote:      

U.S. senator before election

Thomas Sterling
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Thomas Sterling
Republican

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Orville V. Rinehart 3,848 40.92%
Democratic James Coffey 2,949 31.36%
Democratic John E. Kelley 2,606 27.71%
Total votes 9,403 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas Sterling (inc.) 21,516 55.48%
Republican Frank M. Byrne 17,264 44.52%
Total votes 38,780 100.00%

Socialist Primary

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Candidates

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  • John C. Knapp

Results

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Socialist primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Socialist John C. Knapp 252 100.00%
Total votes 252 100.00%

After winning the primary, Knapp withdrew as a candidate, citing his disagreement with the Socialist Party's anti-war policies.[4]

General election

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Results

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1918 United States Senate election in South Dakota[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas Sterling (inc.) 51,198 55.07%
Democratic Orville V. Rinehart 36,210 38.95%
Independent W. T. Rafferty 5,560 5.98%
Majority 14,988 16.12%
Total votes 92,968 100.00%
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ "Orville V. Rinehart". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Burkholder, Alfred (March 18, 1918). "Republican Papers Stand by Sterling". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. p. 9. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 623.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ "Two Upstate Socialist Candidates Withdraw". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. August 27, 1918. p. 10. Retrieved June 10, 2021.