James W. Abbott
James W. Abbott | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 12, 1948 Vermillion, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Academic, politician |
| Years active | 1991–2018 |
| Known for | President of the University of South Dakota (1997–2018), Democratic candidate for Governor of South Dakota (2002) |
James W. Abbott (born June 12, 1948) is a retired American academic and politician who held the position of president at the University of South Dakota from 1997 until 2018. He was the Democratic candidate in the South Dakota gubernatorial election, 2002. Abbott is also recognized as a notable member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
Career and politics
Abbott's background includes both business and political service; he represented Yankton County, South Dakota in the South Dakota State Legislature between 1991 and 1993. During the South Dakota gubernatorial election, 1994, he ran as the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor alongside Jim Beddow, who formerly led Dakota Wesleyan University. Their campaign was defeated by the Republican duo Bill Janklow and Carole Hillard. Abbott later secured the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2002 but was defeated by Republican Mike Rounds. In addition, he sought the Democratic nomination for a U.S. House seat in 1996 but lost to Rick Weiland.
Academic career
Abbott returned to his alma mater, the University of South Dakota, as president beginning in 1997. He completed his undergraduate studies there in 1970 and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1974.
South Dakota gubernatorial election, 2002
In 2002, Abbott temporarily stepped away from his university leadership role to pursue the Democratic nomination for Governor of South Dakota. He emerged victorious in the primary over State Senators Ron J. Volesky and Jim Hutmacher, but ultimately lost the general election to Republican candidate Mike Rounds.
Return to academia
Following the election, Abbott resumed his presidency at the University of South Dakota. In June 2007, he took a medical leave to donate a kidney to USD's Chief Diversity Officer Bruce King at The Mayo Clinic. The procedure was successful, allowing Abbott to return to his duties two weeks afterward. He maintains membership in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.