# 1978 United States Senate election in South Dakota

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The 1978 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator James Abourezk did not run for re-election to a second term, but was succeeded by his political rival, Republican U.S. Representative Larry Pressler.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Don Barnett, former Mayor of Rapid City
* Kenneth D. Stofferahn, farmer and former Republican State Representative from Humboldt

### Results

1978 Democratic Senate primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Don Barnett | 37,319 | 55.12% |
| | Democratic | Kenneth D. Stofferahn | 30,384 | 44.88% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 67,703 | 100.00% |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Larry Pressler, U.S. Representative from Humboldt
* Ron Williamson, businessman from Sioux Falls

### Results

1978 Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Larry Pressler | 66,893 | 73.88% |
| | Republican | Ron Williamson | 23,646 | 26.12% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 90,539 | 100.00% |

## General election
### Results

1978 U.S. Senate election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Larry Pressler | 170,832 | 66.84% |
| | Democratic | Don Barnett | 84,767 | 33.16% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 255,599 | 100.00% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |