Byron_Knutson
Byron Knutson
American politician (born 1929)
Byron Knutson (born November 9, 1929, near Harlow, North Dakota) is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party politician who served as the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner from 1977 to 1980 and as the North Dakota Labor Commissioner from 1987 to 1990.[1] He previously served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1959 to 1962.[2]
Byron Knutson | |
|---|---|
| 2nd North Dakota Labor Commissioner | |
| In office 1987–1991 | |
| Governor | George A. Sinner |
| Preceded by | Orville W. Hagen |
| Succeeded by | Craig Hagen |
| 16th North Dakota Insurance Commissioner | |
| In office 1977–1981 | |
| Governor | Arthur A. Link |
| Preceded by | Jorris O. Wigen |
| Succeeded by | Jorris O. Wigen |
| Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives from the 20th district | |
| In office 1959–1963 | |
| Preceded by | C. H. Hofstrand |
| Succeeded by | S. F. Hoffner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1929-11-09) November 9, 1929 (age 94) Harlow, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic-NPL |
| Spouse | Bernice Hofstad |
| Education | University of North Dakota |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
Knutson was born near Harlow (a small town near Brinsmade) on November 29, 1929, and raised in Harlow near Devis Lake.
He was educated in Harlow elementary schools and graduated from Benson County Agriculture and Training High School in Maddock, North Dakota. He attended North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota, and Valley City State College for his college education.
He served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1959 to 1963, and ran for North Dakota Public Service Commissioner in 1974, but was unsuccessful. He was elected as the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner in 1976, but was defeated in 1980. After being defeated, he ran for North Dakota Labor Commissioner in 1982, and for North Dakota Secretary of State in 1984, but was unsuccessful in both elections. He tried again for Labor Commissioner in 1986, and this time won, defeating Orville W. Hagen. His tenure was short-lived, however, and he was defeated in 1990 by Craig Hagen, who is of no relation to Orville.
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He is married to Bernice, and has two daughters: Rebecca and Harmony.
- Dakota Lawmakers Archived 2009-04-16 at the Wayback Machine, North Dakota Legislative Council
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bernard Majors |
Democratic nominee for North Dakota Insurance Commissioner 1976, 1980 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Ella B. Ombolt |
Democratic nominee for North Dakota Secretary of State 1984 |
Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Jorris O. Wigen |
Insurance Commissioner of North Dakota 1977–1981 |
Succeeded by Jorris O. Wigen |
| Preceded by | North Dakota Commissioner of Labor 1987–1991 |
Succeeded by Craig Hagen |
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