George W. Egan was a colorful and controversial political figure. He was a discredited attorney from Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...

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George Egan threatened the attempt by Robert S. Vessey

Robert S. Vessey

Robert Scadden Vessey was the seventh Governor of South Dakota. Vessey, a Republican from Wessington Springs, served from 1909 to 1913.-Biography:...

 to receive the 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...

 nomination for Governor of South Dakota

Governor of South Dakota

The Governor of South Dakota is the head of the executive branch of the government of South Dakota. They are elected to a four year term on even years when there is no Presidential election. The current governor is Dennis Daugaard, a Republican elected in 2010....

in 1910. In spite of controversy, Egan became very popular among voters. He claimed to be the first honest man to run for governor. Egan promised to oust Crawford and Vessey, claiming that Vessey had increased the state's debt by $600,000. However, Egan obtained only 21,446 votes to Vessey's 26,732.