Joseph H. Bottum

Joseph Henry Bottum (August 7, 1903 – July 4, 1984) was a member of the United States Senate from South Dakota.

He attended the public schools of Faulkton. He then went on to Yankton College and the University of South Dakota (1920–1921). He graduated from the law school of the University of South Dakota at Vermillion in 1927. He was admitted to the bar in 1927 and commenced the practice of law in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1928. He became a state's attorney at Faulkton from 1932 to 1936. He was director of taxation for the State of South Dakota 1937-1943.

In 1942 Joseph Bottum was unsuccessful in seeking the Republican nomination for Governor. In 1950 he was unsuccessful in his attempt to gain the Republican nomination for Representative. However, he became the 27th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota from 1961-1962. He was then appointed on July 9, 1962 as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Francis H. Case and served until January 3, 1963. He was a candidate in 1962 for election to a full term in the Senate, but was defeated by the Democratic candidate, George McGovern, in an extremely close race (50.1%-49.9%).

Joseph Bottum was a resident of Rapid City, South Dakota until his death. He was buried in Pine Lawn Cemetery, Rapid City. Bottum's nephew, Joseph "Jody" Bottum, is the former editor-in-chief of First Things the religious conservative magazine.

References

• Joseph H. Bottum at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress