Colleagues say Janklow a force in SD politics

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)

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Bill Janklow
Former Congressman and South Dakota governor, Bill Janklow, listens to arguments in his appeal to the South Dakota Supreme Court to get his law license back, in this photo taken Oct. 14, 2005, at the State Capitol in Pierre, S.D. Janklow said Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 that he's dying of brain cancer, but that he's undergoing experimental treatment that he hopes will save him.
AP Photo/Doug Dreyer

Friends and colleagues say former Gov. Bill Janklow was a fundamental force in South Dakota politics and helped shape the state during his four terms as governor.

Janklow announced Friday he is dying of brain cancer. He was elected governor in 1978, 1982, 1994 and 1998. The Republican was elected to the U.S. House in 2002, but resigned after causing a fatal traffic accident in 2003.

Former state Senate Democratic Leader Scott Heidepriem tells the Sioux Falls Argus Leader that Janklow had a big idea every year as governor.

And former Senate Republican Leader Dave Knudson, who also served as Janklow's chief of staff, says he believes Janklow was South Dakota's greatest governor. He says Janklow was driven to solve problems.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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