Arnold E. Amundson
Arnold E. Amundson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the South Dakota Senate from the 11th district | |
| In office 1979–1980 | |
| Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 11th district | |
| In office 1977–1978 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Arnold Ernest Amundson August 25, 1911 Colton, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | March 25, 1993 (aged 81) Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Marguerite McCormick
(m. 1933) |
| Children | 3 |
Arnold Ernest Amundson[1] (August 25, 1911 – March 25, 1993) was an American politician and businessman. He served in the South Dakota Senate from 1979 to 1980, representing the 11th district. Amundson also represented the district in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1977 to 1978.
Early life and education
[edit]Amundson was born in Colton, South Dakota, on August 25, 1911.[2] Amundson graduated from high school in 1929, and attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.[3]: 100 [4]
Career
[edit]Shortly after moving to Sioux Falls in 1943, Amundson worked for International Harverster in several cities.[4] He soon formed the Dakota Farm Business in 1945 and was its owner until selling it in 1964.[4][5] In 1951, he was elected as the president of the Sioux Lions club.[6] Amundson was also a member of the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce,[4] president of the South Dakota Retail Farm Equipment Association, and director of the Minnesota-South Dakota Farm Equipment Association.[7]
In 1964, Amundson accepted a position at the Northwestern National Bank of Sioux Falls to manage its farm machinery.[8][9] He served as the vice president and manager of the Stockyards Branch.[10] He retired from the company in August 1976.[9][7]
South Dakota House of Representatives
[edit]Amundson announced his campaign to represent the 11th district in the South Dakota House of Representatives in April 1976, seeking the Republican Party nomination.[3]: 155 [5][11] During his campaign, he supported increased gasoline taxes and state funding for school districts, and was also against income and sales tax increases.[9] He was elected with 22 thousand votes, alongside nine other candidates.[12] Amundson was assigned to the Local Government Study Commission.[3]: 100 [13]
During the first few months of his term, several measures sponsored by Amundson were approved in the House, including one that called for an increase in the salaries of sheriffs, and another that endorsed the concept of the Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science.[5] Amundson introduced legislation that created minimum mandatory sentences for armed crimes.[14]
South Dakota Senate
[edit]Amundson announced a bid for the South Dakota Senate in March 1978 after being encouraged by friends to do so and believing that there needed to be more experienced legislators in the chamber.[15] During his campaign, he supported a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit abortion nationwide.[16] He was elected alongside five other people, coming in second place and receiving over 17 thousand votes.[17] Amundson was assigned to the Local Government Study Commission.[18]
Amundson announced his campaign for re-election in March 1980.[19] He lost the primaries and garnered just shy of five thousand votes.[20][21] After losing, he and Sheldon Songstad, who also lost, claimed that the county auditor was told by members of the Republican Party to alter the layout of the ballot, which lowered their chances for election.[22]
Post-legislature career
[edit]Amundson announced in December 1980 that he would run for chairman of the Minnehaha County Republican Party. He was elected unopposed, succeeding Helen Boyer.[23][24] On November 5, 1981, Amundson resigned from the position due to arising health problems.[25]
Personal life and death
[edit]He married Marguerite McCormick on September 1, 1933, and they would settle in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.[4] They had three children together.[3]: 155 Amundson died on March 25, 1993, at the McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery on March 29.[4]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lowell C. Hansen II | 26,164 | 6.57% | |
| Republican | Walt Bones Jr. | 24,884 | 6.25% | |
| Republican | Richard Flynn | 23,224 | 5.83% | |
| Republican | Henry Knochenmus | 22,636 | 5.69% | |
| Republican | Arnold Amundson | 22,326 | 5.61% | |
| Republican | Hal Wick | 21,831 | 5.48% | |
| Republican | Bernice Johnson | 21,094 | 5.30% | |
| Republican | Gregory Peterson | 20,972 | 5.27% | |
| Republican | Roger Reid | 20,939 | 5.26% | |
| Republican | Debra R. Anderson | 20,264 | 5.09% | |
| Democratic | Dennis McFarland | 19,171 | 4.81% | |
| Democratic | Gale Fisher | 18,730 | 4.70% | |
| Democratic | Linda Lea Miller | 17,750 | 4.46% | |
| Democratic | Wally Myers | 17,747 | 4.46% | |
| Democratic | George Kirk | 17,357 | 4.36% | |
| Democratic | Mary Vanderlinde | 17,137 | 4.30% | |
| Democratic | Richard Barnes | 16,599 | 4.17% | |
| Democratic | Loila Hunking | 16,587 | 4.17% | |
| Democratic | Gordon Lovell | 16,456 | 4.13% | |
| Democratic | Robert Sivertson | 16,289 | 4.09% | |
| Total votes | 398,157 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Richard "Dick" Flynn | 18,550 | 11.29% | |
| Republican | Arnold E. Amundson | 17,584 | 10.70% | |
| Republican | Alva Scarbrough | 17,504 | 10.66% | |
| Republican | Richard Gregerson | 17,096 | 10.41% | |
| Democratic | Jerry Mayer | 16,927 | 10.30% | |
| Republican | Henry Carlson Jr. | 16,701 | 10.17% | |
| Republican | George Kirk | 15,700 | 9.56% | |
| Democratic | Robert O'Connor | 15,590 | 9.49% | |
| Democratic | Parnell Donohue | 14,807 | 9.01% | |
| Democratic | Earl McCart | 13,816 | 8.41% | |
| Total votes | 164,275 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Wendell H. Hanson (incumbent) | 7,373 | 17.45% | |
| Republican | Richard I. Bones (incumbent) | 7,370 | 17.44% | |
| Republican | Richard O. Gregerson (incumbent) | 7,102 | 16.81% | |
| Republican | Alva W. Scarbrough (incumbent) | 6,551 | 15.50% | |
| Republican | Henry Carlson Jr. (incumbent) | 5,293 | 12.52% | |
| Republican | Arnold E. Amundson (incumbent) | 4,952 | 11.72% | |
| Republican | Gilbert Paulton | 3,620 | 8.57% | |
| Total votes | 42,261 | 100.00% | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Traffic accidents". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. June 23, 1989. p. 21. Retrieved March 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Arnold E. Amundson". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. June 1, 1980. p. 56. Retrieved March 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Andrews, Gerald D., ed. (1977). South Dakota legislative manual 1977. South Dakota Secretary of State. pp. 100, 155. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Arnold Amundson was former state House, Senate member". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. March 28, 1993. p. 3. Retrieved March 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "School For Deaf Building Denied". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. March 6, 1977. p. 3. Retrieved March 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Arnold Amundson Chosen by Lions". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. June 13, 1951. p. 4. Retrieved March 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Yes Sir: We're Pleased to Welcome Arnold Amundson To Our Staff". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. February 2, 1965. p. 3. Retrieved March 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Accepts Position". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. December 30, 1964. p. 8. Retrieved April 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Arnold Amundson". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. October 24, 1976. p. 74. Retrieved March 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Amundson Boss Of Year". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. May 24, 1970. p. 31. Retrieved March 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Amundson Announces For State House Seat". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. April 20, 1976. p. 22. Retrieved March 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Official Canvass Produces No Changes In County". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. November 6, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved March 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Local government group to meet". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. August 16, 1977. p. 12. Retrieved March 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Armed-Crime Bill To Be Introduced". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. January 30, 1977. p. 3. Retrieved March 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Amundson makes Senate bid". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. March 22, 1978. p. 2D. Retrieved May 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Richardson, Gail (October 9, 1978). "Anti-abortionists enter political arena in S.D." Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 17. Retrieved March 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
The following District 11 Republican candidates for the legislature said they supported an anti-abortion amendment: Arnold E. Amundson...
- ^ a b "Peterson, Schirmer tie in canvass". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. November 14, 1978. p. 24. Retrieved March 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Engelhart, Timothy A., ed. (1979). South Dakota legislative manual 1979. South Dakota Secretary of State. pp. 121–122. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Amundson seeks re-election". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. March 30, 1980. p. 52. Retrieved March 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "S.D. legislative races". Sioux City Journal. Sioux City, Iowa. June 5, 1980. p. 6. Retrieved March 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Andersen, Tena (June 5, 1980). "Three East River legislators defeated". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. p. 6. Retrieved March 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
Sen. Arnold Amundson, Sioux Falls, was defeated in District 11.
- ^ Brown, Tony (June 9, 1980). "Order of ballot angers county GOP losers". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 19. Retrieved March 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "3 GOP leaders won't run again". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. December 12, 1980. p. 25. Retrieved March 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Minnehaha Republicans change party leadership". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. January 10, 1981. p. 19. Retrieved March 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "County GOP chairman to resign". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. October 29, 1981. p. 39. Retrieved March 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Thank You for your support and for your trust". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. November 8, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved March 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "20 Minnehaha Candidates Opposed For 10 House Seats". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. October 24, 1976. p. 74. Retrieved March 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.