1916 South Dakota gubernatorial election

The 1916 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1916. Incumbent Republican Governor Frank M. Byrne declined to seek re-election to a third term. Lieutenant Governor Peter Norbeck won the Republican primary to succeed him, and in the general election faced State Representative Orville V. Rinehart. Norbeck won his first term as Governor in a landslide over Rinehart.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on May 23, 1916.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Orville V. Rinehart, former State Representative from Pennington County
• Edmund D. Morcom, businessman

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Peter Norbeck, Lieutenant Governor
• George W. Egan, disbarred attorney, 1912 Republican candidate for Governor, 1910 Republican candidate for Governor
• Richard Olsen Richards, perennial candidate

Results

Prohibition primary

Candidates

• C. K. Thompson, Prohibition candidate for Governor in 1914

Results

Socialist primary

Candidates

• Fred L. Fairchild, Socialist candidate for South Dakota's 3rd congressional district in 1914

Results

General election

Candidates

• Orville V. Rinehart, Democratic
• Peter Norbeck, Republican
• C. K. Thompson, Prohibition
• Fred L. Fairchild, Socialist

Results

References

Bibliography

• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.