Harold Windingstad
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| Harold Windingstad | |
| Born | August 26, 1929 |
| Place of Birth | Providence Township Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota |
| Died | November 18, 2006 |
| Place of Death | Dawson, Minnesota |
| Spouse | Dolores |
| Profession | farmer, political activist, community organizer |
| Political Affiliation | Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |
| Years Active | 1955–2005 |
Harold Oliver Windingstad Jr. (August 26, 1929 – November 18, 2006)[1] was an American politician and farmer from Minnesota, and a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
Windingstad lived his entire life on his family's farm in Providence Township in Lac qui Parle County. A populist, he had grass roots political experience and an "uncanny sense of community."[2] He was considered the man in southwestern Minnesota to whom candidates turned for advice, fundraising and get-out-the-vote efforts. His knowledge of the political landscape defined strategies for many local and state-wide races through the years.[3]
DFL Party leader
Windingstad served as chair of the 2nd Congressional District DFL for nearly twenty years, and was a delegate to two Democratic national conventions. He is credited with helping the Minnesota delegation come together after Jimmy Carter won the endorsement for President in 1976, saying of the Georgia governor: "Looks like a nice young man. He might go someplace."[4] After handing his 2nd District chair position over to Jonette Engan in 1989, the district chose to honor him by establishing an annual golf tournament in Willmar known as the Windingstad Open. The event attracted golfers and political leaders from throughout the region each August.[3]