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1892 South Dakota gubernatorial election
	County results; Sheldon: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70%; Van Osdel: 30–40% 40–50%; Couchman: 30–40%; No Vote:
Governor of South Dakota before election; Arthur C. Mellette; Republican	Elected Governor of South Dakota ; Charles H. Sheldon; Republican

The 1892 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1892. Incumbent Republican Governor Arthur C. Mellette declined to seek re-election to a third term. Former territorial legislator Charles H. Sheldon was nominated by the Republican Party as Mellette's replacement, and he faced former legislator Abraham Lincoln Van Osdel, a leader in the South Dakota Farmers' Alliance and the nominee of the Independent Party, along with Democratic nominee Peter Couchman, in the general election. The result was largely a replay of the 1890 election, with Sheldon winning by a large margin, but only a plurality, and Van Osdel taking second place over Couchman.

Independent Party convention

Following the split vote in the 1890 election, some members of the Independent Party pushed for a fusion with the Democratic Party. However, in the lead-up to the June 1892 convention, Independent leaders and convention delegates made clear that they were strongly opposed to fusion and would nominate their own candidates. Their 1890 gubernatorial nominee, Henry L. Loucks, was initially seen as the frontrunner for the nomination,^[1] but former territorial delegate Abraham Lincoln Van Osdel, who was the Party's 1890 lieutenant-gubernatorial nominee, emerged as the nominee.^[2]

Republican convention

At the Republican convention in July 1892, Governor Mellette declined to be a candidate for another term.^[3] To replace him, a crowded field developed:^[4]

A. E. Clough, Chairman of the Republican Party of South Dakota^[5]
John P. Davis, State Representative from Kingsbury County^[6]
Robert Dollard, Attorney General
George H. Hoffman, Lieutenant Governor
Edward T. Sheldon, former State Representative from Hand County^[7]
Charles H. Sheldon, former territorial legislator
L. C. Taylor, State Auditor
Seth T. Winslow, State Representative from Sanborn County^[8]

However, before a formal ballot could be taken, the delegates agreed on nominating Charles H. Sheldon for Governor, and he received the nomination by acclamation.^[4]

Democratic convention

Just as the Independent Party rejected the idea of fusion, so too did the Democratic Party. At their September 1890 convention, the delegates overwhelmingly voted, 376–36, against forming a coalition and to instead nominate their own candidates for state offices.^[9] The convention nominated Peter Couchman, a former member of the New York State Assembly who moved to South Dakota in 1872 and ran as the 1890 Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor,^[10] by acclamation.^[9]

General election

Results

1892 South Dakota gubernatorial special election^[11]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Charles H. Sheldon	33,414	47.46%	+2.99%
	Independent Party	Abraham Lincoln Van Osdel	22,524	31.99%	+0.28%
	Democratic	Peter Couchman	14,472	20.55%	−3.28%
Majority			10,890	15.47%	+2.71%
Turnout			70,410	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

^ "They Won't Fuse: The Independents Down on Any Combination With Any Other Party". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. June 20, 1892. p. 7. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
^ "July 1, 1892". Dakota Farmers' Leader. Canton, S.D. July 1, 1892. p. 4. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
^ "On the Hunt: Most of the State Officers Would Like Another Term". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. July 2, 1892. p. 7. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "A South Dakota Ticket: Candidates for State Officers and Congressmen Named". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. July 23, 1892. p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
^ "S.D. Republican Convention". Daily Huronite. Huron, S.D. March 26, 1892. p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
^ "John Davis". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
^ "Edward Thompson Sheldon". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
^ "Seth T. Winslow". Historical Listing. South Dakota Legislature Legislative Research Council. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "No Fusion: The Democrats at Chamberlain Decide to Go It Alone". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. September 2, 1892. p. 3. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
^ "Uncle Peter: How "Uncle Peter" Couchman Stands With His Neighbors". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, S.D. September 18, 1892. p. 3. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
^ Nelson, Nelson; Heinrich, Chad W., eds. (2005). "Chapter 8: Elections". Legislative Manual: South Dakota, 2005. Pierre, S.D. p. 616.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)