# 1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election

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The 1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986 to elect the Governor of South Dakota. Incumbent Bill Janklow was term-limited, so the field for the new governor was open. Republican nominee George S. Mickelson was elected, defeating Democratic nominee Ralph Lars Herseth.

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* George S. Mickelson, Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives
* Clint Roberts, former member of the United States House of Representatives from South Dakota's 2nd district
* Lowell Hansen, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
* Alice Kundert, South Dakota Secretary of State

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | George S. Mickelson | 40,979 | 35.30 |
| | Republican | Clint Roberts | 37,250 | 32.08 |
| | Republican | Lowell Hansen | 21,884 | 18.85 |
| | Republican | Alice Kundert | 15,985 | 13.77 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 116,098 | 100.00 |

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Ralph Lars Herseth, State Representative
* Richard F. Kneip, former Governor of South Dakota
* Kenneth D. Stofferahn, South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner

### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ralph Lars Herseth | 30,801 | 42.81 |
| | Democratic | Richard F. Kneip | 27,811 | 38.66 |
| | Democratic | Kenneth D. Stofferahn | 13,332 | 18.53 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 71,944 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Results

South Dakota gubernatorial election, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | George S. Mickelson | 152,543 | 51.81 |
| | Democratic | Ralph Lars Herseth | 141,898 | 48.19 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 294,441 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |