George Theodore Mickelson - Career

Career

Prior to serving as governor, Mickelson, a Republican, served as states attorney for Walworth County, South Dakota from 1933 to 1936. He served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1937–1943 and was Speaker of the House in his last term. He then served as South Dakota Attorney General from 1943 to 1947. He became Governor of South Dakota in 1947, and served until 1951.

Mickelson ran as favorite-son candidate in 1952 South Dakota presidential primary, supporting a national bid of Dwight D. Eisenhower, and lost narrowly to Eisenhower chief rival, Senator Robert Taft of Ohio.

On December 9, 1953, Mickelson received a recess appointment from President Eisenhower to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota vacated by Alfred Lee Wyman. Formally nominated on January 11, 1954, Mickelson was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 9, 1954, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge of the court from 1954 until his death in 1965.

Mickelson's son, George S. Mickelson, served as Governor of South Dakota from 1987 to 1993. They are the only father and son pair to hold that office in the history of South Dakota.

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