Sandy Keith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sandy Keith
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court |
|
| In office December 1, 1990 – January 29, 1998 |
|
| Appointed by | Rudy Perpich |
| Preceded by | Peter S. Popovich |
| Succeeded by | Kathleen A. Blatz |
| Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court |
|
| In office February 1, 1989 – December 1, 1990 |
|
| Appointed by | Rudy Perpich |
| 37th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota | |
| In office January 8, 1963 – January 2, 1967 |
|
| Governor | Elmer L. Andersen Karl Rolvaag |
| Preceded by | Karl Rolvaag |
| Succeeded by | James B. Goetz |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 4th district |
|
| In office January 6, 1959 – January 7, 1963 |
|
| Preceded by | Walter Burdick |
| Succeeded by | Harold G. Krieger |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Alexander MacDonald Keith
November 22, 1928 Rochester, Minnesota |
| Died | October 3, 2020 (aged 91) |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |
| Spouse | Marion E. Sanford |
| Alma mater | Amherst College Yale Law School |
Alexander MacDonald "Sandy" Keith (born November 22, 1928 – died October 3, 2020) was an important American politician and judge. He was the first person to serve in all three parts of the Minnesota state government. These parts are the law-making branch (like a state senator), the executive branch (like a lieutenant governor), and the judicial branch (like a judge on the state's highest court).
Early Life and Education
Sandy Keith was born in Rochester, Minnesota. His father, Norman M. Keith, was a doctor at the famous Mayo Clinic. Sandy Keith married Marion E. Sanford in 1955.
He was a very good student. He graduated with high honors from Amherst College in 1950. Then, he went on to study law at Yale Law School, finishing in 1953. After his studies, he served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.
Political Career
After the war, Sandy Keith returned to Rochester. He started working as a lawyer for the Mayo Clinic. There, he worked with Harry Blackmun, who later became a judge on the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 1959, Keith was elected to the Minnesota Senate. This is where state laws are made. He was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL). While a state senator, he also helped choose the presidential candidate for his party in 1960.
From 1963 to 1967, he served as the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota. The lieutenant governor is like a vice-governor, ready to take over if the governor cannot serve. He worked with Governor Karl Rolvaag during this time. In 1966, Keith tried to become the DFL candidate for governor, but he did not win the primary election.
Judicial Career
Sandy Keith later became a judge. In 1989, he was appointed as a justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court. This is the highest court in Minnesota.
Just one year later, in 1990, he became the Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. He led the court until he retired in 1998. As Chief Justice, he was the main judge and leader of the state's highest court.
Later Life and Death
Sandy Keith passed away at his home on October 3, 2020. He was 91 years old. He is remembered for his long and important service to the state of Minnesota in all three parts of its government.
