The 1974 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974, to elect a Governor of South Dakota. This election was the first in South Dakota to elect the governor for a four-year term, after it was allowed by a constitutional amendment passed in 1972. Democratic nominee and Governor Richard F. Kneip was re-elected, defeating Republican nominee John E. Olson. , this is the last time that a Democrat was elected Governor of South Dakota, marking the start of the longest Republican winning streak in the country for a state's governorship, as well as the longest gubernatorial winning streak by a single party.
Democratic primary
Candidates Richard F. Kneip, incumbent Governor of South Dakota Bill Dougherty, Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
Results
Republican primary
Candidates John E. Olson Ronald F. Williamson Oscar W. Hagen
Results
General election
Results
References