Joseph H. Bottum

Joseph H. Bottum (August 7, 1903 – July 4, 1984) was a member of the United States Senate from South Dakota. He was born in Faulkton, Faulk County, South Dakota, on August 7, 1903.

He attended the public schools of Faulkton. He then went on to Yankton College and the University of South Dakota (1920-1921). He graduated from the law school of the University of South Dakota at Vermillion in 1927. He was admitted to the bar in 1927 and commenced the practice of law in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1928. He became a state's attorney at Faulkton from 1932 to 1936. He was director of taxation for the State of South Dakota 1937-1943.

In 1942 Joseph Bottum was unsuccessful in seeking the Republican nomination for Governor. In 1950 he was unsuccessful in his attempt to gain the Republican nomination for Representative. However, he became Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota from 1961-1962. He was then appointed on July 9, 1962 as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Francis H. Case and served until January 3, 1963. He was a candidate in 1962 for election to a full term in the Senate, but was defeated by the Democratic candidate, George McGovern, in an extremely close race (50.1%-49.9%). South Dakota has a long history of very close senate races.

Joseph Bottum was a resident of Rapid City, South Dakota until his death there on July 4, 1984. He was buried in Pine Lawn Cemetery, Rapid City.

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