Phil Saunders (September 10, 1920 – March 15, 1997) was an American politician and soldier who fought in World War II,[1] an American attorney and 19th Attorney General of South Dakota from 1955 to 1959. Born in Milbank, South Dakota, he was married to the niece of U.S. Senator Francis Case.[2]
Phil Saunders | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 19th Attorney General of South Dakota | |
| In office 1955–1959 | |
| Governor | Joe Foss |
| Preceded by | Ralph A. Dunham |
| Succeeded by | Parnell J. Donahue |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 10, 1920 Milbank, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | March 15, 1997 (aged 76) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University School of Law |
| Profession | Attorney |
Career
editSaunders was a Republican.
Saunders graduated from the Northwestern University School of Law.[3]
1954 Attorney General election
editOn July 27, 1954, Saunders was nominated by acclimation, something Governor Sigurd Anderson stated he thought that was the first time the nomination for Attorney General for a first term without a contest.[4] Saunders general election opponent was Democrat Fred Nichols.[5] Saunders was elected Attorney General in 1954.[6]
1956 Attorney General election
editOn July 16, 1956, Saunders was again nominated by acclimation in his re-election bid at the state convention in Pierre.[7] Saunders defeated Democrat William H. Heuermann by obtaining 156,149 votes to Heuermann's 127,988 votes. Saunders was re-elected Attorney General in 1956.[8]
1958 gubernatorial election
editIn 1958, Saunders ran for Governor of South Dakota. He defeated L. Roy Houck for the Republican nomination,[9] and lost to Ralph Herseth in the general election.
References
edit- ^ Deadwood Pioneer-Times, October 28, 154, page 4
- ^ Deadwood Pioneer-Times, October 28, 154, page 4
- ^ "Blue Book Legislative Manual, 1955 & 1957 editions". sdsos.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ Rapid City Journal, July 27, 1954, Page 1
- ^ Deadwood Pioneer-Times, October 28, 154, page 4
- ^ "Blue Book Legislative Manual, 1955 edition". sdsos.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ The Daily Plainsman, July 17, 1956, page 1
- ^ "Blue Book Legislative Manual, 1957 edition". sdsos.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ "4 Jun 1958, Page 1 - Argus-Leader at". Newspapers.com. 1958-06-04. Retrieved 2020-09-22.