Alec G. Olson
Encyclopedia
Alec Gehard Olson is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a former state senator, and a former lieutenant governor of Minnesota. He was born in Mamre
Township in 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
.
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.
Olson served in the Minnesota Senate
from 1969 to 1976 and was president of the state senate in 1973. When Wendell Anderson
resigned the governorship to become a U.S. Senator in 1976, Olson became the lieutenant governor; he served from December 29, 1976 – January 3, 1979 and was Rudy Perpich
's running mate in Minnesota's 1978 gubernatorial race.
Mamre Township, Minnesota
Mamre Township is a township in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 384 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.6 mi²...
Township in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota
Kandiyohi County, Minnesota
Kandiyohi County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, its population was 42,239. Its county seat is Willmar.- History :...
.
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
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...
from 1952 to 1962, serving as a district chairman for four years. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
in 1960
1960 Democratic National Convention
The 1960 Democratic National Convention was held in Los Angeles. In the end, the Kennedy-Johnson ticket was assembled and went on to secure an electoral college victory and a narrow popular vote plurality in the fall over the Republican candidates Richard M...
, 1964
1964 Democratic National Convention
The 1964 Democratic National Convention was the 1964 presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party. It took place at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey from August 24 to 27, 1964. Incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson -- who had been Vice President under...
and 1968
1968 Democratic National Convention
The 1968 Democratic National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party was held at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois, from August 26 to August 29, 1968. Because Democratic President Lyndon Johnson had announced he would not seek a second term, the purpose of the convention was to...
.
Olson served in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 3, 1963, to January 3, 1967, during the 88th
88th United States Congress
The Eighty-eighth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1963 to January 3, 1965, during the last year of...
and 89th congresses
89th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:- Senate :* President of the Senate: Hubert Humphrey , starting January 20, 1965* President pro tempore: Carl Hayden - Majority leadership :* Majority Leader and Democratic Conference Chairman: Mike Mansfield...
. He lost his bid for re-election in 1966.
Olson served in the Minnesota Senate
Minnesota Senate
The Minnesota Senate is the upper house in the Minnesota Legislature. There are 67 members, half as many as are in the Minnesota House of Representatives. In terms of membership, it is the largest upper house of any state legislature. Each Senate district in the state includes an A and B House...
from 1969 to 1976 and was president of the state senate in 1973. When Wendell Anderson
Wendell Anderson
Wendell Richard "Wendy" Anderson is an American politician and was the 33rd Governor of Minnesota from January 4, 1971 to December 29, 1976. In late 1976, he resigned the governor's office in order to be named U.S. Senator to replace Walter Mondale, who had been elected Vice President of the...
resigned the governorship to become a U.S. Senator in 1976, Olson became the lieutenant governor; he served from December 29, 1976 – January 3, 1979 and was Rudy Perpich
Rudy Perpich
Rudolph George "Rudy" Perpich, Sr. was an American politician and the longest-serving governor of Minnesota. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, he served as the 34th and 36th Governor of Minnesota from December 29, 1976 to January 4, 1979, and from January 3, 1983, to January 7, 1991...
's running mate in Minnesota's 1978 gubernatorial race.