Wendell Richard Anderson (February 1, 1933 – July 17, 2016) was an American politician. He was the 33rd Governor of Minnesota from January 4, 1971 to December 29, 1976. In late 1976, he resigned to be named U.S. Senator. He replaced Senator Walter Mondale, who had been elected Vice President of the United States. Anderson was in the U.S. Senate from December 30, 1976 until December 29, 1978.