Gordon Lee Walgren (March 7, 1933 – March 13, 2018) was an American lawyer and politician.

Gordon Walgren
Walgren in 1969
Majority Leader of the Washington Senate
In office
January 10, 1977 – January 12, 1981
Preceded byAugust P. Mardesich
Succeeded byJeannette C. Hayner
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 23rd district
Preceded byFrances Haddon Morgan
Succeeded byEllen Craswell
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 23rd district
In office
December 1, 1966 – January 13, 1969
Preceded byJack H. Rogers
Succeeded byRobert W. Randall
Personal details
Born
Gordon Lee Walgren

(1933-03-07)March 7, 1933
Bremerton, Washington, U.S.
DiedMarch 13, 2018(2018-03-13) (aged 85)
Bremerton, Washington, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic

Walgren was appointed to the Washington House of Representatives in November 1966 and served the remaining term in 1966.[1] Walgren served in the Washington State Senator from 1967 to 1980, and was Senate Majority Leader from 1975 onward.[2] Though he was convicted of racketeering prior to the 1980 election, he still won the primary election.[3]

He was born in Bremerton, Washington and graduated from Bremerton High School. He earned a Business and Doctor of Law degrees from the University of Washington.

Walgren was convicted of mail fraud, racketeering, and violations of the Travel Act.[4] Two of the three counts - mail fraud and racketeering - were later overturned.[5]

Walgren was a lawyer and businessman. In 2013, Walgren published his memoir: Close To The Flames. Walgren died at his home on March 13, 2018.[6][7]

References

edit
  1. ^ Members of the Washington Legislature
  2. ^ "Gordon Walgren Receives Fire Chiefs Highest Honor". Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine Washington Fire Chiefs, June 9, 2011.
  3. ^ "The Walgren Flap". Spokane Daily Chronicle, October 22, 1980.
  4. ^ United States v. Bagnariol, 665 F.2d 877 (9th Cir. 1981).
  5. ^ Spokane Chronicle Sept. 14, 1989
  6. ^ Gordon Walgren, lawyer and former lawmaker, dies at 85
  7. ^ Gordon Lee Walgren-obituary