# Byron Knutson

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**Byron Knutson** (November 9, 1929 – December 6, 2025) was a [North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party](/source/North_Dakota_Democratic-NPL_Party) politician who served as the [North Dakota Insurance Commissioner](/source/North_Dakota_Insurance_Commissioner) from 1977 to 1980 and as the [North Dakota Labor Commissioner](/source/North_Dakota_Labor_Commissioner) from 1987 to 1990.[1] He previously served in the [North Dakota House of Representatives](/source/North_Dakota_House_of_Representatives) from 1959 to 1962.[2]

## Early life

Knutson was born near Harlow (a small town near [Brinsmade](/source/Brinsmade,_North_Dakota)) on November 9, 1929, and raised in Harlow near Devis Lake.

He was educated in Harlow elementary schools and graduated from [Benson County](/source/Benson_County) Agriculture and Training High School in [Maddock, North Dakota](/source/Maddock,_North_Dakota). He attended [North Dakota State University](/source/North_Dakota_State_University), [University of North Dakota](/source/University_of_North_Dakota), and [Valley City State College](/source/Valley_City_State_College) for his college education.

## Political career

Knutson served in the [North Dakota House of Representatives](/source/North_Dakota_House_of_Representatives) from 1959 to 1963, and ran for [North Dakota Public Service Commissioner](/source/North_Dakota_Public_Service_Commissioner) in 1974, but was unsuccessful. He was elected as the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner in 1976, but was defeated in 1980. After being defeated, he ran for [North Dakota Labor Commissioner](/source/North_Dakota_Labor_Commissioner) in 1982, and for [North Dakota Secretary of State](/source/North_Dakota_Secretary_of_State) in 1984, but was unsuccessful in both elections. He tried again for Labor Commissioner in 1986, and this time won, defeating [Orville W. Hagen](/source/Orville_W._Hagen). His tenure was short-lived, however, and he was defeated in 1990 by [Craig Hagen](/source/Craig_Hagen), who is of no relation to Orville.

## Personal life

He was married to Bernice, and has two daughters: Rebecca and Harmony.

Knutson died surrounded by his family on December 6, 2025.[3]

## Notes

1. [North Dakota Secretary of State | About the Secretary of State](http://www.nd.gov/sos/about/history.html)

1. [Dakota Lawmakers](http://legis.nd.gov/assembly/dakotalawmakers/k.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090416152535/http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/dakotalawmakers/k.pdf#) 2009-04-16 at the Wayback Machine, North Dakota Legislative Council

1. Segal, Edward (15 January 2026). ["North Dakota man who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. dies at 96"](https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/byron-knutson-civil-rights/). *[KX Television](/source/KX_Television)*. Retrieved 15 January 2026.

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