| Phil Saunders | |
| Order2: | 19th Attorney General of South Dakota |
| Term Start2: | 1955 |
| Term End2: | 1959 |
| Governor2: | Joe Foss |
| Predecessor2: | Ralph A. Dunham |
| Successor2: | Parnell J. Donahue |
| Birth Date: | 10 September 1920 |
| Birth Place: | Milbank, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Party: | Republican |
| Profession: | Attorney |
| Alma Mater: | Northwestern University School of Law |
Phil Saunders (September 10, 1920 – March 15, 1997) was an American politician and soldier who fought in World War II,[1] an American attorney and 19th Attorney General of South Dakota from 1955 to 1959. Born in Milbank, South Dakota, he was married to the niece of U.S. Senator Francis Case.[2]
Saunders was a Republican.
Saunders graduated from the Northwestern University School of Law.[3]
On July 27, 1954, Saunders was nominated by acclimation, something Governor Sigurd Anderson stated he thought that was the first time the nomination for Attorney General for a first term without a contest.[4] Saunders general election opponent was Democrat Fred Nichols.[5] Saunders was elected Attorney General in 1954.[6]
On July 16, 1956, Saunders was again nominated by acclimation in his re-election bid at the state convention in Pierre.[7] Saunders defeated Democrat William H. Heuermann by obtaining 156,149 votes to Heuermann's 127,988 votes. Saunders was re-elected Attorney General in 1956.[8]
In 1958, Saunders ran for Governor of South Dakota. He defeated L. Roy Houck for the Republican nomination,[9] and lost to Ralph Herseth in the general election.