1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election

The 1940 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Republican Governor Harlan J. Bushfield sought re-election to a second term. After winning the Republican primary by a large margin, he faced Democrat Lewis W. Bicknell, former Day County State's Attorney, in the general election. Though Bushfield underperformed Republican presidential nominee Wendell Willkie, who won the state in a landslide, he nonetheless defeated Bicknell by a wide margin to easily win re-election.

Candidates

 * Lewis W. Bicknell, former Day County State's Attorney, former Chairman of the State Department of Public Welfare, 1932 Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate
 * Almer O. Steensland, former State Representative from Charles Mix County

Candidates

 * Harlan J. Bushfield, incumbent Governor
 * Adolph N. Graff, former Mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, former State Representative from Minnehaha County