SCOUTING YESTERDAY | Sigurd Anderson beat the odds to become governor in 1950

This week in South Dakota history: June 13-19

South Dakota Governor Sigurd Anderson. Photo: South Dakota State Historical Society

Sigurd Anderson started his path to becoming the governor of South Dakota by winning the Republican primary 75 years ago.

The state attorney general at the time, Anderson narrowly defeated Sioux Falls’ flying ace, Joe Foss, and would run against Democratic party nominee Joe Robbie Jr. in the November election, according to the June 15, 1950, edition of the Rapid City Journal.

Foss’s name recognition had made him the favored candidate in the race. The 34-year-old Marine pilot reportedly toured the state by plane during the campaign. Anderson took a different approach, though, and, while running his campaign, wrote hundreds of postcards that he hoped would provide a personal touch to his constituents. With a 10-point platform, he focused on issues related to law enforcement and youth temperance.