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Capitol panel approves spots for Ralph, M.Q. and William

PIERRE -- Locations for the latest trio of statues on the Trail of Governors won approval Thursday from the state Capitol Complex Restoration and Beautification Commission.

PIERRE - Locations for the latest trio of statues on the Trail of Governors won approval Thursday from the state Capitol Complex Restoration and Beautification Commission.

Ralph E. Herseth, a Democrat (1959-61), goes at the south end of South Dakota Boulevard and East Broadway Avenue across from the Capitol.

Two Republicans meanwhile will be in Pierre's downtown.

M.Q. Sharpe (1943-1947) will be at the southeast corner of Pierre Street and Missouri Avenue, looking toward the Lake Sharpe reservoir on the Missouri River.

William McMaster (1921-1925) is planned for the southwest corner of Pierre Street and Sioux Avenue, across from the statue of Harlan Bushfield (1939-1943).

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The statues will be shown to the public for the first time in a ceremony June 15 in the Capitol rotunda.

"This is the seventh unveiling. This will make 22 of the 31 governors on the streets," Rick Jensen of Pierre told the commission. He is president for the Trail of Governors Foundation.

"We're the only state that recognizes all our executives," Jensen said.

Each life-sized statue costs $71,000, according to Jensen. The works are funded privately. "It's pretty daunting when we first added up the cost," he said.

Current Gov. Dennis Daugaard becomes eligible to be added next year after he hands over power in January.

Sandy Zinter of Fort Pierre, a commission member, commended the Trail of Governors group.

"I think they've done a wonderful job," Zinter said. "Kudos to all of them."

Herseth, a farmer and legislator, was governor for a two-year term. He fought for tax reform, established the retirement system for teachers and sought development of irrigation projects.

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McMaster during his two terms was known for suspending farm-loan foreclosures during a post-war agricultural crisis and for selling gasoline from state highway shops to force prices down. He subsequently was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Sharpe was state attorney general. During two terms as governor he helped push for construction of all six hydropower dams on the Missouri River, including four in South Dakota. He also established the state park system and abolished the state income tax.

Herseth's son, R. Lars Herseth, won the Democratic nomination in 1986 and lost to Republican George S. Mickelson, son of another former governor, George T. Mickelson.

The Mickelsons were the only father-son pair in South Dakota history to be governors. The statue of George T. is on the west side of the Capitol while the statue of George S. is on the south side.

All four served in the Legislature.

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, a Democrat, was South Dakota's first congresswoman. The third generation of the family, she served from 2004 until 2011.

Lorna Herseth, the wife of Ralph, was South Dakota secretary of state from 1973 through 1978.

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