Ralph Herseth

Ralph E. Herseth ( born July 2, 1909 in Houghton, Brown County, South Dakota; † January 24, 1969 in Aberdeen, South Dakota ) was an American politician and from 1959 to 1961 the 21 governor of the state of South Dakota.

Early years and political rise

Ralph Herseth graduated from 1928-1929, the North Dakota State College in Fargo. He then worked as a farmer and rancher. Between 1935 and 1939 he was head of the civilian conservation authority ( Civilian Conservation Corps ) in Sand Lake. Between 1951 and 1952, and again from 1957 to 1958 he sat in the Senate of South Dakota. In 1958 he was elected as a candidate of the Democratic Party as the new governor. He is one of only five governors so far in the history of South Dakota, which did not belong to the Republican Party.

Governor of South Dakota

Herseth began his two -year term on January 6, 1959. During his tenure, he had to deal with the Republican majority in the state legislature. Nevertheless, he operated a tax reform. During his tenure, the first conservation law in South Dakota was adopted. At Missouri was then started the construction work of the Big Bend Dam. In 1959, some natural disasters in South Dakota caused significant problems both for the population and for the government.

Further CV

After his attempt at reelection failed in 1960, Herseth retired from his post on January 3, 1961. Another attempt to be re- elected governor, failed in 1962. Herseth Ralph died in January 1969. He was married to Lorna Buntrock, with whom he had three children. His wife was also active in politics and served as the Secretary of State of South Dakota. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin His granddaughter was from 2005 to 2011 as the representative of South Dakota to the U.S. House of Representatives on.