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
GovernorGeorge A. Sinner
Preceded byOrville W. Hagen
Succeeded byCraig Hagen
16th North Dakota Insurance Commissioner
In office
1977–1981
GovernorArthur A. Link
Preceded byJorris O. Wigen
Succeeded byJorris O. Wigen
Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives
from the 20th district
In office
1959–1963
Preceded byC. H. Hofstrand
Succeeded byS. F. Hoffner
Personal details
Born (1929-11-09) November 9, 1929 (age 94)
Harlow, North Dakota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic-NPL
SpouseBernice Hofstad
EducationUniversity of North Dakota
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps
Battles/warsKorean War

Early life edit

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.

Political career edit

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.

Opinions edit

Personal life edit

He is married to Bernice, and has two daughters: Rebecca and Harmony.

Notes edit

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 Insurance Commissioner of North Dakota
1977–1981
Succeeded by
Preceded by North Dakota Commissioner of Labor
1987–1991
Succeeded by