Arthur G. Sorlie

Arthur Gustav Sorlie (born April 26, 1874 in Freeborn County , Minnesota , † August 28, 1928 in Bismarck , North Dakota ) was an American politician and from 1925 to 1928 the 14th governor of the state of North Dakota.

Early years

Arthur Sorlie attended the Albert Lea Lutheran Academy . He then worked as a shop manager, a bank clerk and a traveling merchant. Over time, he became a successful businessman. He sold cars and ran a few gas stations. His first political mandate was membership on the Grand Forks City Council . In 1924, he was elected as the new governor of North Dakota as a joint candidate for the Republican Party and the short-lived Nonpartisan League (NPL). During this time the state was deeply divided politically. In addition to the Democrats and Republicans, the NPL and the Independent Voters Association (IVA) were created.

New parties in North Dakota

In the years after 1915, the two traditional parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, had faded a little in North Dakota. Instead, the NPL and the IVA had temporarily taken their place. Both were in sharp opposition to one another. The NPL, which represented more socialist positions, was briefly organized nationwide, but achieved its greatest successes in North Dakota. With Lynn Frazier and Walter Maddock , she put two governors in this state between 1917 and 1929. The IVA was founded as an opposition to the NPL by conservative and capitalist forces whose interests it represented. With Ragnvald A. Nestos and George F. Shafer , she also provided two governors in the 1920s. Since 1933, neither party played a major role in North Dakota. The Republicans and Democrats restored the old balance of power.

North Dakota Governor

Arthur Sorlie took up his new office on January 7, 1925. In 1926 he was elected to a second term. The governor advocated a fair pricing policy, especially for agricultural products. His entire reign was overshadowed by the political struggle between the two new parties. But even within his own supporters in the NPL there were forces led by Lieutenant Governor Walter Maddock, especially from 1927 , who opposed the governor. In their eyes, Sorlie, as a wealthy businessman, was not socialist enough for the NPL. They sought to replace the governor and accused him of mismanagement. This did not happen because Governor Sorlie died in office in August 1928. This made Lieutenant Governor Maddock, Sorlie's main opponent, his successor. Arthur Sorlie was married twice and had a total of six children.

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personal data
SURNAME	Sorlie, Arthur G.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Sorlie, Arthur Gustav (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	April 26, 1874
PLACE OF BIRTH	Freeborn County , Minnesota
DATE OF DEATH	August 28, 1928
Place of death	Bismarck , North Dakota