The 1916 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1916. Incumbent Republican Governor Frank M. Byrne declined to seek re-election to a third term. Lieutenant Governor Peter Norbeck won the Republican primary to succeed him, and in the general election faced State Representative Orville V. Rinehart. Norbeck won his first term as Governor in a landslide over Rinehart.
Primary elections Primary elections were held on May 23, 1916.
Democratic primary Candidates Orville V. Rinehart, former State Representative from Pennington County Edmund D. Morcom, businessman
Results
Republican primary Candidates Peter Norbeck, Lieutenant Governor George W. Egan, disbarred attorney, 1912 Republican candidate for Governor, 1910 Republican candidate for Governor Richard Olsen Richards, perennial candidate
Results
Prohibition primary Candidates C. K. Thompson, Prohibition candidate for Governor in 1914
Results
Socialist primary Candidates Fred L. Fairchild, Socialist candidate for South Dakota's 3rd congressional district in 1914
Results
General election Candidates Orville V. Rinehart, Democratic Peter Norbeck, Republican C. K. Thompson, Prohibition Fred L. Fairchild, Socialist
Results
References
Bibliography