Don Samuelson

Don Samuelson
25th Governor of Idaho
In office January 2, 1967 – January 4, 1971
Lieutenant	Jack M. Murphy
Preceded by	Robert E. Smylie
Succeeded by	Cecil D. Andrus
Personal details
Born	July 27, 1913(1913-07-27) Woodhull, Illinois
Died	January 20, 2000(2000-01-20) (aged 86) Sandpoint, Idaho
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Ruby Samuelson
Residence	Sandpoint
Profession	Sporting goods
Religion	Methodist

Donald William Samuelson (July 27, 1913 – January 20, 2000) was a Republican politician from the US state of Idaho. He served as the 25th Governor of Idaho from 1967 to 1971.

Samuelson was born in Woodhull, Illinois, and settled in Sandpoint, Idaho after first coming there during World War II to serve as a weapons instructor and gunsmith at the Farragut Naval Training Station. He was elected to the Idaho Legislature in 1960 and re-elected in 1962 and 1964. A conservative, Samuelson upset moderate incumbent Robert E. Smylie in the 1966 Republican gubernatorial primary. He then went on to defeat Democrat Cecil D. Andrus in the general election.

During the 1970 gubernatorial campaign Samuelson came out in support of developing molybdenum mining in central Idaho's White Cloud Mountains. Samuelson was defeated for re-election by Andrus – a staunch opponent of the mining development – and returned to private life. Samuelson died in 2000 at age 86.

Party political offices
Preceded by Robert E. Smylie	Republican Party nominee, Governor of Idaho 1966 (won), 1970 (lost)	Succeeded by Jack M. Murphy
Political offices
Preceded by Robert E. Smylie	Governor of Idaho January 2, 1967 – January 4, 1971	Succeeded by Cecil D. Andrus