Wikipedia

1984 Sioux Falls mayoral election

The 1984 Sioux Falls mayoral election took place on April 24, 1984, following a primary election on April 10, 1984. Incumbent Mayor Rick Knobe declined to run for re-election to a third term.[1] Seven candidates ran to succeed him, producing a close primary election. Real estate agent Jack White and news anchor Joe Cooper placed first and second in the primary with 23 percent of the vote each, while insurance agent Don Kuck and businessman Neal Hines narrowly placed third and fourth with 22 percent each. In the general election, Cooper narrowly defeated White, 53-47 percent.

1984 Sioux Falls mayoral election
← 1979
April 10, 1984
April 24, 1984
1986 →
 
Candidate Joe Cooper Jack White
First round 4,899
23.14%		 4,960
23.42%
Runoff 11,770
52.98%		 10,445
47.02%
 
Candidate Don Kuck Neal Hines
First round 4,672
22.06%		 4,613
21.79%
Runoff Eliminated Eliminated
Mayor before election

Rick Knobe
Nonpartisan

 Elected mayor

Joe Cooper
Nonpartisan

In 1985, voters ratified a change to the system of government, which cut Cooper's term from five years to two, forcing an early election in 1986.

Primary election

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Candidates

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  • Jack White, real estate agent[2]
  • Joe Cooper, KELO-TV news anchor[3]
  • Don Kuck, insurance agent[4]
  • Neal Hines, businessman[5]
  • Pat O'Connor, real estate agent[6]
  • Brian Burns, Southeastern Area Vocational-Technical School student[7]
  • James Kroll, retiree[8]

Results

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1984 Sioux Falls mayoral primary election[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Jack White 4,960 23.42%
Nonpartisan Joe Cooper 4,899 23.14%
Nonpartisan Don Kuck 4,672 22.06%
Nonpartisan Neal Hines 4,613 12.39%
Nonpartisan Pat O'Connor 1,805 8.52%
Nonpartisan Brian Burns 114 0.54%
Nonpartisan James Kroll 112 0.53%
Total votes 21,175 100.00%

General election

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Results

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1984 Sioux Falls mayoral runoff election[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Joe Cooper 11,770 52.98%
Nonpartisan Jack White 10,445 47.02%
Total votes 22,215 100.00%

References

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  1. ↑ Busek, Brian (January 18, 1984). "Knobe won't run for third term". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1A. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Real estate broker will be 2nd candidate in mayoral race". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. January 14, 1984. p. 1B. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  3. ↑ "TV announcer will run for mayor". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. March 3, 1984. p. 1B. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  4. ↑ "It's official: Don Kuck enters mayor's race". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. October 29, 1983. p. 1B. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  5. ↑ Busek, Brian (February 14, 1984). "Hines third candidate for mayor". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1B. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  6. ↑ "O'Connor says he'd oppose new property taxes as mayor". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. February 25, 1984. p. 1B. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Student enters race for mayor". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. February 16, 1984. p. 3C. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  8. ↑ Busek, Brian (March 31, 1984). "Candidates talk about city's budget". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1C. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Municipal Election - April 10, 1984 - Official Returns". Sioux Falls City Clerk. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Secondary Municipal Election - April 24, 1984 - Official Returns". Sioux Falls City Clerk. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
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