Wikipedia

Alec G. Olson

Alec Olson
40th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
In office
December 29, 1976 – January 3, 1979
GovernorRudy Perpich
Preceded byRudy Perpich
Succeeded byLou Wangberg
President of the Minnesota Senate
In office
January 1973 – December 29, 1976
Preceded byRudy Perpich (Lieutenant Governor)
Succeeded byEdward J. Gearty
Member of the Minnesota Senate
In office
May 14, 1969 – December 29, 1976
Preceded byRobert Johnson
Succeeded byAlvin Setzepfandt
Constituency23rd district (1969–1973)
21st district (1973–1976)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 6th district
In office
January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1967
Preceded byFred Marshall
Succeeded byJohn M. Zwach
Personal details
BornAlec Gehard Olson
(1930-09-11) September 11, 1930 (age 95)
Mamre Township, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Janice Albrecht
​
(m. 1957)​
Children4

Alec Gehard Olson (born September 11, 1930) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Minnesota who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for two terms representing Minnesota's 6th congressional district from 1963 to 1967, a member of the Minnesota Senate from 1969 to 1976, and served as the 40th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota from 1976 to 1979.

Biography

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Olson 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 the years 1960, 1964 and 1968.[1]

Olson served in the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1963, to January 3, 1967, during the 88th United States Congress and 89th United States Congress. During his time in the Congress, he voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.[2] He was defeated for re-election in 1966 after two terms.[1][3] Olson served in the Minnesota Senate from 1969 to 1976 and was President of the Minnesota Senate from 1973 to 1976. When Wendell R. Anderson resigned from 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 their unsuccessful ticket for the Minnesota's 1978 gubernatorial race.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present – Legislator Record – Olson, Alec Gehard". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  2. ^ "H.R. 7152. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION (H. RES. 789) PROVIDING FOR HOUSE APPROVAL OF THE BILL AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE". GovTrack.us. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  3. ^ "OLSON, Alec Gehard – Biographical Information". Bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
[edit]
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 6th congressional district
1963–1967 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded byas Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota President of the Minnesota Senate
1973–1976 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
1976–1979 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
1978 		Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by Most Senior Living U.S. Representative
Sitting or Former
2025–present
Served alongside: Don Fuqua 		Current holder
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former U.S. Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former U.S. Representative 		Succeeded byas Former U.S. Representative