MEIER, BEN (1918-1995)

Mr. Secretary of State

One man served as North Dakota Secretary of State for 34 years, the second longest tenures in the nation’s history.  He was first elected as secretary in 1954, and he served continuously until December 31, 1988.  After his first successful election, Meier was never again defeated, usually garnering over 55% of the votes.  He had a serious challenge in the 1954 Republican primary, and of the 10 times Meier ran for reelection, only once was he challenged within the party.