Jack Billion
Encyclopedia
John "Jack" Billion was the 2006 Democratic Party
candidate for governor of South Dakota
.
in Dubuque, Iowa
and was admitted to the Loyola University Chicago
in August 1960. He was awarded his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1964 and began his internship and residency training at St. Francis Hospital
in Peoria, Illinois
.
as a Major
. He returned to Sioux Falls in 1971 to begin his orthopedic surgery
practice. He has been active in the Sioux Falls and South Dakota medical communities since that time. Billion practiced as a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon from 1971 through 1997.
Linda Barker, as one of two South Dakota State Representatives
from the Sioux Falls-based 13th District. Billion was re-elected in 1994. In 1996, Billion declined to seek a third term in the State House, instead choosing to run for the State Senate from the 13th District. However, he lost to Republican
Kermit Staggers by an 876-vote margin. In 2006, Billion re-entered politics and emerged as the Democratic nominee for Governor of South Dakota
in 2006
. He selected Rapid City
historian Eric Abrahamson
as his running mate, but was overwhelmingly defeated in the general election by incumbent Republican
Governor Mike Rounds
.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
candidate for governor of South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
.
Early years
John "Jack" Billion, the second of eight children of son of Henry and Evelyn Heinz Billion, grew up in what is commonly known as the "North End" of Sioux Falls.Education
Billion attended elementary and high school in Sioux Falls. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1957. He received his BA degree from Loras CollegeLoras College
Loras College is a four-year Catholic college located in Dubuque, Iowa, with a general attendance of approximately 1,700 students. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs...
in Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
and was admitted to the Loyola University Chicago
Stritch School of Medicine
Stritch School of Medicine is the medical school affiliated with Loyola University Chicago. It is located at the heart of the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. The medical campus includes Foster G...
in August 1960. He was awarded his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1964 and began his internship and residency training at St. Francis Hospital
St. Francis Hospital
St. Francis Hospital may refer to:*St. Francis Hospital *St. Francis Hospital *St. Francis Hospital *St. Francis Hospital of The Sisters Of The Poor Of St...
in Peoria, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
.
Career
After completing his orthopedic residency in 1969, Billion served two years in the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
as a Major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
. He returned to Sioux Falls in 1971 to begin his orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system...
practice. He has been active in the Sioux Falls and South Dakota medical communities since that time. Billion practiced as a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon from 1971 through 1997.
Political career
In 1992, Billion was elected, along with fellow DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Linda Barker, as one of two South Dakota State Representatives
South Dakota House of Representatives
The South Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70 members, two from each legislative district...
from the Sioux Falls-based 13th District. Billion was re-elected in 1994. In 1996, Billion declined to seek a third term in the State House, instead choosing to run for the State Senate from the 13th District. However, he lost to 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...
Kermit Staggers by an 876-vote margin. In 2006, Billion re-entered politics and emerged as the Democratic nominee 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 2006
South Dakota gubernatorial election, 2006
The South Dakota gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Republican Governor Mike Rounds defeated Democrat Jack Billion to serve a second term as Governor.-Candidates:* Jack Billion, former South Dakota State Representative...
. He selected Rapid City
Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the county seat of Pennington County. Named after Rapid Creek on which the city is established, it is set against the eastern slope of the Black Hills mountain range. The population was 67,956 as of the 2010 Census. Rapid...
historian Eric Abrahamson
Eric Abrahamson
Dr. Eric John Abrahamson is an institutional historian and the 2006 Democratic candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor in South Dakota. His running mate was Dr. Jack Billion.- Professional and Civic Life :...
as his running mate, but was overwhelmingly defeated in the general election by incumbent 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...
Governor Mike Rounds
Mike Rounds
Marion Michael "Mike" Rounds is an American politician. Rounds served as the 31st Governor of South Dakota. Rounds was first inaugurated on January 7, 2003, having been elected on November 5, 2002, and was re-elected on November 7, 2006...
.