# 1974 United States Senate election in South Dakota

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The 1974 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator George McGovern ran for reelection to a third term and won.
McGovern's reelection was notable for the fact two years prior, in the 1972 presidential election, McGovern lost his home state by 9 points to Richard Nixon, yet won his Senate reelection bid by 7 points, marking a sixteen point swing in two years.

## Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 4, 1974.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* George McGovern, incumbent U.S. Senator

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | George McGovern (incumbent) | unopposed | |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Barbara B. Gunderson, former Republican National Committeewoman, former Civil Service Commissioner
* Al Schock
* Leo K. Thorsness, former United States Air Force colonel and prisoner of war

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Leo K. Thorsness | 49,716 | 52.35% |
| | Republican | Al Schock | 35,406 | 37.28% |
| | Republican | Barbara B. Gunderson | 9,852 | 10.37% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 94,974 | 100.00% |

## General election
### Candidates

* Leo K. Thorsness (R)
* George McGovern (D), incumbent U.S. Senator

### Results

1974 United States Senate election in South Dakota :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | George McGovern (incumbent) | 147,929 | 53.04 |
| | Republican | Leo K. Thorsness | 130,955 | 46.96 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,974 | 6.08 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 278,884 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |