Alec Gehard Olson (born September 11, 1930) is an American retired politician from the U.S. state of Minnesota who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1963 to 1967, a member of the Minnesota Senate from 1969 to 1976, and as Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota from 1976 to 1979.
Alec Olson | |
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| 40th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota | |
| In office December 29, 1976 – January 3, 1979 | |
| Governor | Rudy Perpich |
| Preceded by | Rudy Perpich |
| Succeeded by | Lou Wangberg |
| 1st President of the Minnesota Senate | |
| In office January 1973 – December 29, 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Rudy Perpich (as lieutenant governor)* |
| Succeeded by | Edward J. Gearty |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 6th district | |
| In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Fred Marshall |
| Succeeded by | John M. Zwach |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate | |
| In office May 14, 1969 – December 29, 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Robert G. Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Alvin O. H. Setzepfandt Jr. |
| Constituency | 23rd district (1969-1973) 21st district (1973-1976) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alec Gehard Olson September 11, 1930 Mamre Township, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota |
| Political party | Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |
| Spouse |
Janice Ruth Albrecht
(m. 1957) |
| Children | 4 |
| Profession | Insurance representative, farmer |
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Biography
editOlison was born in Mamre Township, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. Olson attended public schools and graduated from Willmar High School in 1948. He farmed between 1948 and 1955, and was an insurance representative from 1955 to 1962. He was active in the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party from 1952 to 1962, serving as a district chairman for four years. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1960, 1964 and 1968.[1]
Olson served in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 3, 1963, to January 3, 1967, during the 88th and 89th Congresses. He lost his bid for re-election in 1966.[1][2] Olson served in the Minnesota Senate from 1969 to 1976 and was Senate president from 1973 to 1976. When Wendell R. Anderson resigned the governorship to become a U.S. senator in 1976 and was succeeded by Lieutenant Governor Rudy Perpich, Olson became the new lieutenant governor; he served from December 29, 1976 to January 3, 1979, and was Perpich's running mate in Minnesota's 1978 gubernatorial race.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present – Legislator Record – Olson, Alec Gehard". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ "OLSON, Alec Gehard – Biographical Information". Bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
External links
edit- Minnesota Historical Society: Alec Olson Profile
- Alec G. Olson at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
- United States Congress. "Alec G. Olson (id: O000084)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.