The 1972 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972, to elect a governor of South Dakota. It was the last election in South Dakota to elect the governor for a two-year term after a 1972 state constitutional amendment established a four-year term. Democratic nominee Richard F. Kneip was re-elected, defeating Republican nominee Carveth Thompson despite incumbent Republican President Richard Nixon winning the state with 54% of the vote on the same ballot.
Democratic primary
Candidates Richard F. Kneip, incumbent governor of South Dakota
Republican primary
Candidates Simon W. Chance Carveth Thompson, member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
Results
General election
Results
References