George Sinner
Encyclopedia
George Albert Sinner is a Democratic-NPL politician who served as the 29th Governor
of North Dakota
from 1985 through 1992. He served two four-year terms as governor.
and was raised in Casselton
, the youngest of four children. He attended Saint John's Preparatory School
, a college prep boarding school in Collegeville, Minnesota, graduating in 1946. In 1950, he received a degree in philosophy from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He served in the United States Air National Guard from 1950 to 1951 before beginning pursuit of a career in politics in the late 1950s. He was elected to the North Dakota Senate
in 1962. He served one four-year term until 1966, and failed to win re-election. He also ran in a failed bid for United States Congress
in North Dakota's 1st congressional district
against Mark Andrews in 1964.
Coming from a background of farming, Sinner served as president of the Red River Valley
Sugarbeet Growers Association Board from 1975 to 1979. During that time, he chaired an ad hoc farm commodity group which was responsible for funding and construction of the greenhouse complex and the Northern Crops Institute at North Dakota State University
in Fargo. He served as a member of many other boards and organizations, including the North Dakota Broadcasting Council, the State Board of Higher Education and more. During his time on the State Board of Higher Education, he helped craft the "Tri-college" system currently used by NDSU, MSUM
and Concordia College, Moorhead colleges. This program allows students attending one of the schools to take classes not offered there at one of the other universities.
Sinner has received honorary doctorate degrees from North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota and his alma mater, St. John's University.
beginning in 1985 and served two four-year terms. The starting date of Sinner's first term was disputed with defeated and outgoing Gov. Allen Olson. Sinner held that the term started January 1 and Olson held that the term began on January 6, four years after his own term began. At that time, the specific date was neither clearly set forth in state law nor the state constitution. The North Dakota Supreme Court
settled the issue in favor of Sinner on January 5, 1985, one day before Olson would have vacated office anyway. Olson failed to comply with the decision and did not vacate the governor's office until the following day but Sinner's term was retroactively recognized to have begun on January 1.
During Sinner's governorship, North Dakota suffered through the 1980s Midwestern farm crisis and celebrated its centennial. The North Dakota National Guard
was also called to serve in the Gulf War
in 1991 as part of Operation Desert Storm. He did not seek a third term as governor, and was succeeded by Republican
Ed Schafer.
During Sinner's term as Governor, Senator Quentin N. Burdick
died. He temporarily appointed Burdick's widow, Jocelyn Birch Burdick, to the seat and encouraged outgoing Senator Kent Conrad
to run for the remainder of Burdick's term. Conrad did so and won.
. Throughout his career, he remained active in his farming operation near Casselton.
Governor of North Dakota
The Governor of North Dakota is the chief executive of North Dakota. The current Governor is Jack Dalrymple. The Governor has the right to sign and laws, and to call the Legislative Assembly, into emergency session. The Governor is also chairman of the North Dakota Industrial Commission. The...
of North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
from 1985 through 1992. He served two four-year terms as governor.
Early years, education, professional background
Sinner was born in FargoFargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
and was raised in Casselton
Casselton, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,855 people, 702 households, and 509 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,315.5 people per square mile . There were 738 housing units at an average density of 523.4 per square mile...
, the youngest of four children. He attended Saint John's Preparatory School
Saint John's Preparatory School (Collegeville, Minnesota)
Founded in 1857, Saint John’s Preparatory School is a Catholic/Benedictine, co-educational, day and boarding college preparatory school located in Collegeville, Minnesota. The school includes a Middle School consisting of grades 6-8 and an Upper School consisting of grades 9-12...
, a college prep boarding school in Collegeville, Minnesota, graduating in 1946. In 1950, he received a degree in philosophy from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He served in the United States Air National Guard from 1950 to 1951 before beginning pursuit of a career in politics in the late 1950s. He was elected to the North Dakota Senate
North Dakota Senate
The North Dakota Senate is the upper house of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly, smaller than the North Dakota House of Representatives.North Dakota is divided into between 40 and 54 legislative districts apportioned by population as determined by the decennial census...
in 1962. He served one four-year term until 1966, and failed to win re-election. He also ran in a failed bid for United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in North Dakota's 1st congressional district
North Dakota's 1st congressional district
North Dakota's 1st congressional district is an obsolete congressional district in the state of North Dakota that existed from 1913 to 1932, and then again from 1963 to 1972.-History:...
against Mark Andrews in 1964.
Coming from a background of farming, Sinner served as president of the Red River Valley
Red River Valley
The Red River Valley is a region in central North America that is drained by the Red River of the North. It is significant in the geography of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Manitoba for its relatively fertile lands and the population centers of Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks, and Winnipeg...
Sugarbeet Growers Association Board from 1975 to 1979. During that time, he chaired an ad hoc farm commodity group which was responsible for funding and construction of the greenhouse complex and the Northern Crops Institute at North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...
in Fargo. He served as a member of many other boards and organizations, including the North Dakota Broadcasting Council, the State Board of Higher Education and more. During his time on the State Board of Higher Education, he helped craft the "Tri-college" system currently used by NDSU, MSUM
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead is a four-year, public university located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has an enrollment of nearly 7,500 students and 337 full-time faculty members. MSUM is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system...
and Concordia College, Moorhead colleges. This program allows students attending one of the schools to take classes not offered there at one of the other universities.
Sinner has received honorary doctorate degrees from North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota and his alma mater, St. John's University.
Gubernatorial service
Sinner was elected to serve as the Governor of North DakotaGovernor of North Dakota
The Governor of North Dakota is the chief executive of North Dakota. The current Governor is Jack Dalrymple. The Governor has the right to sign and laws, and to call the Legislative Assembly, into emergency session. The Governor is also chairman of the North Dakota Industrial Commission. The...
beginning in 1985 and served two four-year terms. The starting date of Sinner's first term was disputed with defeated and outgoing Gov. Allen Olson. Sinner held that the term started January 1 and Olson held that the term began on January 6, four years after his own term began. At that time, the specific date was neither clearly set forth in state law nor the state constitution. The North Dakota Supreme Court
North Dakota Supreme Court
The North Dakota Supreme Court is the highest court of law in the state of North Dakota. The Court rules on questions of law in appeals from the state's district courts....
settled the issue in favor of Sinner on January 5, 1985, one day before Olson would have vacated office anyway. Olson failed to comply with the decision and did not vacate the governor's office until the following day but Sinner's term was retroactively recognized to have begun on January 1.
During Sinner's governorship, North Dakota suffered through the 1980s Midwestern farm crisis and celebrated its centennial. The North Dakota National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
was also called to serve in the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
in 1991 as part of Operation Desert Storm. He did not seek a third term as governor, and was succeeded by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Ed Schafer.
During Sinner's term as Governor, Senator Quentin N. Burdick
Quentin N. Burdick
Quentin Northrup Burdick was a United States Senator from North Dakota from August 8, 1960 until his death in 1992. Prior to that he had served in the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1959 to August 8, 1960. He was the son of NPL North Dakota Congressman Usher L...
died. He temporarily appointed Burdick's widow, Jocelyn Birch Burdick, to the seat and encouraged outgoing Senator Kent Conrad
Kent Conrad
Kent Conrad is the senior United States Senator from North Dakota. He is a member of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party, the North Dakota affiliate of the Democratic Party...
to run for the remainder of Burdick's term. Conrad did so and won.
Post-governorship
Following his second term, Sinner served as Vice President of Public and Government Relations for the Crystal Sugar Company in Moorhead, MinnesotaMoorhead, Minnesota
Moorhead is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States, and the largest city in northwest Minnesota. The population was 38,065 at the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Clay County....
. Throughout his career, he remained active in his farming operation near Casselton.