2008Final results
2008 election for President in South Dakota
President · South Dakota
John McCain (R) won with 53.2% of the vote, defeating Barack H. Obama (D) by 8.4 points.
John McCainRepublican · winner
53.2%203,054
Barack H. ObamaDemocrat
44.7%170,924
Ralph NaderIndependent
1.1%4,267
Charles ""chuck"" BaldwinConstitution
0.5%1,895
Bob BarrLibertarian
0.5%1,835
381,975 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2008
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
John McCain (R)Barack H. Obama (D)
Also on the ballot: Ralph Nader (Independent), 1.1%; Charles ""chuck"" Baldwin (Constitution), 0.5%; Bob Barr (Libertarian), 0.5%