Leonard Edward Andera (May 17, 1934 – February 7, 2012) was an American politician who served in the

South Dakota Senate The South Dakota Senate is the upper house of the South Dakota Legislature. It consists of 35 members, one representing each legislative district. It meets at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre. Composition :''99th Legislature (2025)' ...

from 1985 to 1990. Andera was raised on a farm near

Stickney, South Dakota Stickney is a town in Aurora County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 321 at the 2020 census. History The town was named for J.B. Stickney, an official with the Milwaukee Railroad. The town was platted and incorporated in 1905 ...

. He obtained a teaching certification from Wessington Springs Junior College upon graduation from high school. He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, mainly as an instructor at Adjutant General School. After his discharge from the army, Andera attended the

University of South Dakota The University of South Dakota (USD) is a public research university in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States. Established by the Dakota Territory legislature in 1862, 27 years before the establishment of the state of South Dakota, USD is t ...

, where he earned a bachelor's and a master's degree. He then taught at USD for six years, then returned to school, receiving a J. D. from the

University of South Dakota School of Law The University of South Dakota School of Law also known as University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law or USD Law in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, is a professional school of the University of South Dakota and the only law school ...

in 1969. While pursuing his legal education, Andera served as a deputy sheriff for

Clay County Clay County is the name of 18 counties in the United States. Most are named for Henry Clay, U.S. Senator and statesman: * Clay County, Alabama * Clay County, Arkansas (named for John Clayton, and originally named Clayton County) * Clay County, Fl ...

. He was later named South Dakota's commissioner of drug control, which he left for the securities commission. Andera married Kay Bess in 1968, and moved to Chamberlain in 1971, where he worked as a lawyer. Andera was a member of the

between 1985 and 1990. Upon stepping down, he helped lead several state organizations.

References

1934 births 2012 deaths Democratic Party South Dakota state senators South Dakota lawyers University of South Dakota School of Law alumni University of South Dakota alumni University of South Dakota faculty People from Aurora County, South Dakota People from Clay County, South Dakota People from Chamberlain, South Dakota 20th-century American lawyers 20th-century members of the South Dakota Legislature {{SouthDakota-politician-stub