Wendell Anderson

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Wendell Anderson
Wendell Anderson

Wendell Anderson


In office
January 4, 1971 – December 29, 1976
Lieutenant(s) Rudy Perpich
Preceded by Harold LeVander
Succeeded by Rudy Perpich

Born February 1, 1933 (age 74)
St. Paul, Minnesota
Political party Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Spouse Mary Christine McKee
Profession politician

Wendell Richard "Wendy" Anderson (born February 1, 1933) was the 33rd Governor of Minnesota, from January 4, 1971 to December 29, 1976. Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, he resigned the governor's office in order to be named U.S. Senator to replace Walter Mondale, who had been elected Vice President of the United States. He served in the U.S. Senate from December 30, 1976 to December 29, 1978 in the 94th and 95th congresses. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Anderson's signature accomplishment as governor was helping to create the Minnesota Miracle of 1971, an innovative reform in financing of Minnesota public schools and local governments that created a fairer distribution in taxation and education.

Nearly the entire DFL ticket was defeated in 1978, including Gov. Rudy Perpich and the candidates for both U.S. Senate seats. Anderson's arranging for his own appointment to the Senate and Perpich's role in it were factors in their defeats.

Anderson was drafted by the Minnesota Fighting Saints in the inaugural World Hockey Association draft in 1972. While flattered, Anderson chose to remain Governor.

From 1995 to 2001 he served as a director for and head of the legal committee of Turbodyne Technologies Inc. (TRBD) in Carpinteria, California.

Today, Anderson is regularly called upon to act as a commentator on Minnesota politics for local stations such as KSTP-TV. Anderson was a member of the U.S. hockey team that won a silver medal at 1956 Winter Olympics. He earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.

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Preceded by
Harold R. LeVander
33rd Governor of Minnesota
1971 – 1976
Succeeded by
Rudy Perpich
Preceded by
Walter Mondale
United States Senator (Class 2) from Minnesota
1976 – 1978
Served alongside: Hubert Humphrey, Muriel Humphrey
Succeeded by
Rudy Boschwitz