Lynn Frazier

Lynn Joseph Frazier (December 21, 1874 – January 11, 1947) was a politician from North Dakota, serving as a U.S. Senator from 1923 to 1941 and the 12th Governor of North Dakota of that state from 1917 until being recalled in 1921. He was the first American governor ever successfully recalled from office. Aside from Frazier, the only other governor to have been successfully recalled is California Governor Gray Davis in October 2003.

Biography

Frazier was born in Medford, Minnesota. His family moved to North Dakota when he was six years old. Prior to his career in state and national politics, Frazier was a farmer and school teacher. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1892 and Mayville Normal School in 1895. He completed his bachelor's degree at the University of North Dakota, graduating with honors in 1902.

After running in the Republican primary as the Non-Partisan League candidate, Frazier was elected Governor in 1916 with 79% of the vote. Frazier was extremely popular and implemented several reforms such as the establishment of the Bank of North Dakota and the North Dakota Mill and Elevator. He was re-elected twice, in 1918 and 1920, but an economic depression hit the agricultural sector during his third term and resulted in a grassroots movement to press for his recall. The movement succeeded, and in 1921 the governor was successfully removed from office. Independent Voters Association member Ragnvald A. Nestos was elected in his place.

After the recall, Frazier was elected in 1922 to the United States Senate, again as the NPL candidate on the Republican ticket. He served until losing a bid for re-election in 1940, being unseated in the Republican primary by William Langer. Frazier died in Riverdale, Maryland, on January 11, 1947, at the age of 72.

See also

• North Dakota recall election, 1921
• California gubernatorial recall election, 2003

External links

• Lynn Frazier at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress