Rudy Perpich

“Rudy” Perpich (June 27, 1928–September 21, 1995) was an American dentist and politician. 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. This was the longest tenure among the state's governors. He was also the state's only Roman Catholic governor and the only one to serve non-consecutive terms.

Entry into politics

He first entered into politics by serving on the Hibbing school board in 1955 and 1956, which instituted a policy to provide equal pay to both male and female workers. Six years later in 1962, Perpich was elected to the Minnesota Senate. He was re-elected in 1966. In 1970, he was elected lieutenant governor. In 1974, he was re-elected, this time on a ticket with Gov. Wendell Anderson. (Prior to 1974, the governor and lieutenant governor were elected separately.) Perpich became governor when Anderson resigned in 1976 to take the United States Senate seat vacated by Walter Mondale, who had been elected US vice president.

Related Topics:
School board - 1955 - 1956 - Male - Female - 1962 - Minnesota Senate - 1966 - 1970 - Lieutenant governor - 1974 - Wendell Anderson - 1976 - United States Senate - Walter Mondale - US vice president

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