A closer look at election trends and demographics – Firstpost

South Dakota, with a population of almost 900,000, plays an important role in US presidential elections due to its strong voting history and demographic composition. Here’s a comprehensive overview of his political profile, including voting trends, demographics and key elections.

Voter demographics

South Dakota, a white-majority, predominantly rural state on the plains of the Midwest, is typically a Republican stronghold at both the state and presidential levels, despite being more populous than neighboring North Dakota and polling to its left . It has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, against the backdrop of his national landslide victory. Since then, it has only been competitive (within 5 points of a Democratic victory) in three elections: 1976, 1992 and 1996, all elections won by the Democratic candidate. Even South Dakota Senator George McGovern failed to carry his home state as the Democratic candidate in the Republican landslide victory in 1972.

The black and Asian populations in South Dakota remain relatively small, each making up less than 2 percent of the population. Despite this demographic distribution, the political power of Native American voters can be influential, particularly in local elections.

Voting history: South Dakota has been a Republican stronghold in presidential elections since 1968. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump won South Dakota by a comfortable margin, receiving 61.8% of the vote compared to 35.6% for Joe Biden.

Swing state status and election significance

South Dakota is not considered a swing state in the US presidential election. Its voters have depended on Republicans for more than five decades, and even this time there is little chance of unprecedented change in the upcoming elections.

South Dakota may not be a swing state, but its consistent support of Republican candidates makes it a crucial part of the Republican electoral map. With a predominantly white population and a small but politically significant Native American presence, the state’s political dynamics are stable. Although South Dakota has not produced a U.S. president, its association with figures such as George McGovern ensures that it remains part of the larger history of U.S. presidential elections.

Ties to the President

South Dakota has not produced a U.S. president, although it has notable political figures who have had significant national influence. One such figure is George McGovern, a South Dakota native who ran as the Democratic candidate in the 1972 presidential election. McGovern, a former senator and World War II veteran, was known for his strong opposition to the Vietnam War. However, his bid for the presidency was unsuccessful as he lost in a landslide to incumbent President Richard Nixon. Despite his defeat, McGovern’s candidacy remains one of the most memorable moments in South Dakota political history.

Memorable elections

One of the most memorable elections related to South Dakota was George McGovern’s presidential campaign in 1972. As the Democratic candidate, McGovern promoted an anti-war platform that appealed to the left, but his views were viewed as too radical by much of the electorate. Nixon’s overwhelming victory in that election highlighted the challenges facing Democrats in winning votes in South Dakota, a state with conservative values ​​and strong Republican loyalties.

Another important moment in South Dakota’s political history was the 1948 election, when the state played a role in Harry Truman’s surprise victory over Thomas Dewey. South Dakota voted for Dewey, the Republican candidate, in that election, but Truman’s unexpected national victory remains a remarkable historical event.