1908 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1908 South Dakota gubernatorial election

November 3, 1908

Nominee Robert S. Vessey Andrew E. Lee Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 62,989 44,876 Percentage 55.28% 39.39%

County results Vessey:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Lee:      50–60% No Vote:

Governor before election Coe I. Crawford Republican Elected Governor Robert S. Vessey Republican

The 1908 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1908. Incumbent Republican Governor Coe I. Crawford opted to run for the U.S. Senate rather than run for re-election. State Senator Robert S. Vessey narrowly won the Republican primary over former State Representative John L. Browne and advanced to the general election, where he faced the Democratic nominee, former Governor Andrew E. Lee. Though Vessey's performance was significantly reduced from Crawford's performance in 1906, he still defeated Lee by a wide margin.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 9, 1908.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Andrew E. Lee, former Governor

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Andrew E. Lee	7,567	100.00%
Total votes			7,657	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• John L. Browne, State Representative
• Robert S. Vessey, State Senator

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert S. Vessey	32,024	50.93%
	Republican	John L. Browne	30,860	49.07%
Total votes			62,884	100.00%

Socialist primary

Candidates

• J. C. Knapp

Results

Socialist primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Socialist	J. C. Knapp	451	100.00%
Total votes			451	100.00%

General election

Results

1908 South Dakota gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Robert S. Vessey	62,989	55.34%	-9.97%
	Democratic	Andrew E. Lee	44,876	39.39%	+12.68%
	Prohibition	G. F. Knappen	3,536	3.11%	-1.45%
	Socialist	J. C. Knapp	2,542	2.15%	-1.25%
Majority			18,113	15.95%	-22.65%
Turnout			113,943	100.00%
	Republican hold