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 | Milbank, South Dakota, U.S. | September 10, 1920
Died | March 15, 1997 | (aged 76)
Political party | Republican |
Alma mater | Northwestern University School of Law |
Profession | Attorney |
Phil Saunders (September 10, 1920 – March 15, 1997) was a 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]
Saunders was a Republican.
Saunders graduated from the Northwestern University School of Law. [3]
On 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]
On 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]
In 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.