John J. O'Connell (April 30, 1919 – March 24, 1998)[1] was an American lawyer and politician from Washington who served as the 13th Attorney General of Washington from 1957 to 1969.
John O'Connell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 13th Attorney General of Washington | |
| In office January 16, 1957 – January 15, 1969 | |
| Governor | Albert D. Rosellini Daniel J. Evans |
| Preceded by | Don Eastvold |
| Succeeded by | Slade Gorton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 30, 1919 Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | March 24, 1998 (aged 78) Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Margaret |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Gonzaga University (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Early life and education
editO'Connell was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. He earned a Bachelor of Laws from the Gonzaga University School of Law and served as a captain in the United States Army during World War II.
Career
editAfter serving in the Army, O'Connell returned to Tacoma and established a private legal practice. He served as the city prosecutor of Tacoma and county prosecutor of Pierce County, Washington. O'Connell was elected Attorney General of Washington in 1956, and served until 1969. O'Connell was succeeded in office by Slade Gorton. O'Connell was also the Democratic nominee in the 1968 Washington gubernatorial election, losing to Republican Daniel J. Evans.[2] Soon after leaving office, O'Connell resumed his private legal practice.[3]
Personal life
editO'Connell and his wife, Margaret, had six children. He died in Tacoma on March 24, 1998, at the age of 78.[4]
References
edit- ^ "John O'connell, Former State Attorney General, Dies At 78 | The Seattle Times". archive.seattletimes.com. Retrieved 2020-08-20.
- ^ KVOS Special: Interview with John J. O'Connell
- ^ Times, Wallace Turner Special to The New York (1971-10-06). "Ex‐State Attorney General Tells Why He Denied Sharing in Fees Paid to Alioto". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-08-20.
- ^ "The Political Graveyard: Pierce County, Wash". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2020-08-20.