Arne Dahl (May 7, 1907 – February 2, 1974) was a North Dakota Republican Party politician, who was first elected in November 1958, into the State House, as the representative for Wells County (Harvey), North Dakota.Morning Pioneer. [Election Results] 33rd Wells. Nov. 6, 1958. Pg. 12. He continued to serve in elective offices until his death in 1974, at age 66. His last role was as North Dakota’s Commissioner of Agriculture.Bismarck tribune. “Arne Dahl, 66, Funeral Mass Set Tuesday”. Feb.4, 1974. Pg. 8.
Re-elected into the House in November 1960 and again in 1962, he was recognized by the Republican Party with increasing responsibilities. During his first term, in 1960, he became the Wells County GOP Chairman.Bismarck Tribune. “Wells Republicans Make Endorsement”. Apr 14, 1960. Pg. 8. In January 1961, at the outset of his second term, House Republicans selected Dahl to be their Caucus Chairman.Morning Pioneer. “N.D. Legislator Opens 37th Session”. Jan. 3, 1961. Pg. 1. He was also appointed to several important House committees: Industry and Business; Social Welfare; Rules, and Finance and Taxation.Morning Pioneer. “State Legislature Assignments.” Jan. 9, 1961. Pg. 10. He also became a member and Secretary of the Legislative Research Committee.Associated Press. “Longmire Named LRC Chairman”, in the Morning Pioneer. Mar. 6, 1961. Pg. 10. Dahl continued in some of these roles, such as Caucus Chairman, into his third term.Bismarck Tribune. “Uneasy Peace Hovers Over Legislature at Opening”. Jan. 8, 1963. Pg. 1.
In 1964, Dahl was named as a North Dakota delegate, to attend that year’s National Republican Convention.Morning Pioneer. “Most GOP Delegates Uncommitted”. Apr 9, 1964. Pg. 1. On the first ballot at that convention for selecting the Republican presidential candidate, Dahl voted against Goldwater, who ultimately did win the Republican nomination.Morning Pioneer. “Half of State’s Delegates Cast Votes for Goldwater.” Jul. 16, 1964. Pg. 12.
The same year, Dahl was endorsed by the GOP to run for the state post of Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor.Bismarck Tribune. “Republicans Fill State Slots as Albers Role is Uncertain.” Apr. 11, 1964. Pg. 1. In that year’s state primaries, his name was listed for that position, unopposed on the Republican side of the ballot.
Winning that election in November 1964,Bismarck Tribune. [N.D. Vote results]. Nov. 4, 1964. Pg. 2. he served as the last North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor from 1965 to 1966. After that term, the labor commissioner role was detached to become a separate position.Bismarck Tribune. “Kleppe Wins W. House Seat”. Nov. 9, 1966. Pg. 1. So, Dahl ran for and was elected as the first North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture, serving from 1966 to 1974. In that capacity, he contributed to many state bodies and committees, including as a member of the State Industrial Commission, which controlled the Bank of North Dakota.Bismarck tribune. “Arne Dahl, 66, Funeral Mass Set Tuesday”. Feb.4, 1974. Pg. 8.
References
North Dakota Department of Agriculture