Art Link

Arthur Albert Link (May 24, 1914 – June 1, 2010) was an American politician and farmer of the North Dakota Democratic Party, and later the Democratic-NPL. He served as a U.S. Representative from 1971 to 1973 and as the 27th governor of North Dakota from 1973 to 1981. Link was a charter member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Early life

Link was born in Alexander, North Dakota. He attended the McKenzie County schools, and North Dakota Agricultural College. Link began a career as a farmer soon after his 1939 marriage, and became active in politics as a member of the local chapters of the National Farmers' Union and Nonpartisan League.

Link began his public career service at the local level as a member of county and state Farm Security Administration committees during the 1930's. He later served on the Randolph Township Board of Supervisors from 1942 to 1971, the McKenzie County Welfare Board from 1948 to 1968, and from 1945 to 1963 was a member of the local school board

Political career

He was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1946 as a North Dakota Democratic Party, Democrat. Link served for 14 years as the house's minority leader, and was speaker of the house from 1965 to 1967. He was also a member of the Randolph Township Board, 1942–1972; McKenzie County Welfare Board, 1948–1969; Randolph School Board, 1945–1963; county and State Farm Security Administration committee, 1941–1946; and delegate, North Dakota State conventions, 1964–1968.

United States Representative 1971-1973

Elections

In 1970, Link was persuaded to run for U.S. Congress from the western district of North Dakota to succeed Republican incumbent Thomas S. Kleppe, who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate. It was a job with little long-term security as by then it appeared certain the state would be reduced to a single congressional district after the census. He was narrowly elected as a Dem-NPLer to the 92nd United States Congress in a mild surprise.
Link opted not to challenge the state's veteran incumbent (Republican Mark Andrews) for re-election in the new at-large district in 1972 and instead ran for Governor.

Committee assignments

Link served on the House Agriculture Committee and the Livestock and Grains and Domestic Marketing and Consumer Relations Subcommittees. as well as the District of Columbia Committee and the subcommittees of Judiciary and Business, Commerce and Fiscal Affairs.

Governor of North Dakota 1973-1981

Elections

1972

Link ran for governor in 1972 defeating Edward P. Burns for the Democratic nomination. In the general election he faced Republican lieutenant governor Richard F. Larsen. Link won the election by 5,867 votes.

1976

Link ran for a second term in 1976, He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and faced Republican nominee Richard Elkin in the general election. touting his accomplishments on coal mining on November 2, 1976 Link won re-election, defeating Elkin by 14,988 votes.

1980

In 1980. Link ran for a third term. He won the Democratic nomination unopposed and in the general election faced Republican nominee and State Attorney General Allen Olson. Link Lost to Olson by 21,839 votes

Tenure

As governor, Link insisted that the state's energy resources be developed in harmony with values deeper than mere extraction: stewardship, the agrarian ideal, and the integrity of rural communities.

On October 11, 1973, Link Gave a speech that is remembered as North Dakota's "Gettysburg Address." His credo, written in the margins of his prepared speech moments before he was introduced, is known by its opening phrase: "When the landscape is quiet again."

Link was in favor of careful management of the state's natural resources especially during an energy crisis that caused controversy between those who wished to exploit the state's coal as well as oil and those who wished to protect the state's environment. North Dakota's agricultural community prospered during Link's two terms as governor. Income and property tax laws were reformed by the legislature, but Link vetoed a reapportionment bill. Link supported foreign and domestic trade. He was a strong supporter of the North Dakota Heritage Center, Exploration of North Dakota's great mineral wealth was a big issue during Link's tenure as governor. Link advocated Conservative policies for coal and oil development.

Link helped in the establishment of the former Governors mansion in to a museum and seeing the construction of the states heritage center. wall Governor Link led a trade mission to Middle East in the 1970s and further accompanied trade and cultural missions to Other countries.

Later life

After his defeat, Link remained active in public life, leading a successful fight against a North Dakota Lottery, state lottery in 1984. He also remained involved in historical preservation and writing of local histories. He and his wife Grace lived in Bismarck, North Dakota. he was a strong supporter of the North Dakota Heritage Center, in 1985 he was appointed the chairman of the Centennial Commission by Governor George Sinner.

A movie was made of the Links' lives in 2008, entitled: "When the Landscape is Quiet Again".

Death

Link died at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, on June 1, 2010. He was buried at Alexander Cemetery in Alexander.

References

External links

Exhibits - North Dakota Governors - Arthur A. Link
at State Historical Society of North Dakota
When the Landscape is Quiet Again: The Legacy of Art Link
at The Dakota Institute

{{DEFAULTSORT:Link, Arthur A.
1914 births
2010 deaths
Democratic Party governors of North Dakota
American Lutherans
People from McKenzie County, North Dakota
North Dakota State University alumni
School board members in North Dakota
Speakers of the North Dakota House of Representatives
Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from North Dakota
20th-century Lutherans
Democratic Party members of the North Dakota House of Representatives
20th-century members of the United States House of Representatives
20th-century members of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly