In the general election, he faced Populist nominee Isaac Howe, a Spink County Judge; James A.

This time, however, Sheldon won an outright majority and the Democratic Party's vote share shrunk to just 11%, its worst performance in state history.

In the lead-up to its June 1894 convention, several names were mentioned as likely gubernatorial candidates: former State Representative Robert Buchanan, an erstwhile Republican;[1] Spink County Judge Isaac Howe;[2] and Sioux Falls University President E. B. Meredith,[3] a prohibitionist.

[4] As the convention began on June 13, 1894, Buchanan, who had previously rejected entreaties to run for governor, acceded and became a candidate.

[8] At the Republican convention in August 1894, Governor Sheldon faced a threat of losing renomination,[9] but the forces opposed to him were unable to recruit a challenger to him.