The 1986 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator James Abdnor ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democrat and future Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.[1] This election was the only United States Senate election in South Dakota that Daschle would win by a narrow margin.
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County results Daschle: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Abdnor: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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Although Abdnor won the primary by a fairly comfortable margin, it hurt him badly. Daschle was uncontested for the Democratic nomination and therefore was able to focus on the general election early, while Abdnor had to fight a challenge from a popular incumbent governor. Many political analysts[who?] say this was one of the factors in Abdnor's general election loss.[citation needed]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | James Abdnor (incumbent) | 63,414 | 54.51% | |
Republican | Bill Janklow | 52,924 | 45.49% | |
Total votes | 116,338 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Tom Daschle | 152,657 | 51.60% | +12.21% | |
Republican | James Abdnor (incumbent) | 143,173 | 48.40% | -9.80% | |
Total votes | 295,830 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |