George F. Shafer

George Frederick Shafer ( born November 23, 1888 in Mandan, North Dakota; † August 13, 1948 in Bismarck, North Dakota ) was a U.S. Representative from 1929-1933 and the 16th Governor of the State of North Dakota.

Early years and political rise

George Shafer attended the public schools in Mandan and the Willistin High School and the University of North Dakota. After a subsequent law degree, he was admitted to the bar in 1912. His first public office he held in 1915 as a district attorney in McKenzie County. This office he held until 1919. From 1921 to 1922 he was Deputy Minister of Justice and then to 1929 Attorney General of North Dakota. In 1928 he was elected as a candidate of the Independent Voters Association as the new governor, where he prevailed with 56:43 percent of the vote against incumbent Walter Maddock.

New parties in North Dakota

In the years after 1915 the two traditional parties, the Republicans and the Democrats were entered into North Dakota something in the background. For the Nonpartisan League ( NPL) and the Independent Voters Association ( IVA ) were temporarily pushed in their place. Both parties were in sharp opposition to each other. The NPL, which represented more socialist views was briefly organized nationwide, but achieved its greatest success in North Dakota. With Lynn Frazier and Walter Maddock put them in this state 1917-1929 two governors. The IVA was founded as an opposition to the NPL by conservative forces whose interests they represented. Ragnvald A. Nestos With George Shafer and put them in the 1920s also two governors of North Dakota. Since 1933, both parties played no greater role more in North Dakota.

Governor of North Dakota

Shafer's term began on January 9, 1929. According to a re-election in 1930 he was able to officiate January 4, 1933. This period was overshadowed by the global economic crisis. In North Dakota, the situation was exacerbated by a severe drought. In 1930, North Dakota State Capitol burned down and had to be rebuilt. On the other side of the nationalized the holdings represent NPL under Shafer's management good profits, with which some of the crisis could be fought. In 1932, Shafer applied unsuccessfully for a third term.

After leaving the office of Governor George Shafer retired from politics and devoted himself to his private affairs. He died in August 1948. Shafer was married to Frances Kellogg, with whom he had four children.