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{{short description|20th century American politician}}
'''Alvin James Baldus''' (born April 27, 1926, in [[Garner, Iowa]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] politician and former member of [[United States Congress|Congress]]. Baldus graduated from high school in [[Elkton, Minnesota]] and went to [[Riverland Community College]] (formerly Austin Junior College) in [[Austin, Minnesota]]. He served in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1975-1981 representing [[Wisconsin]]. He was in the [[United States Merchant Marine]] and the [[United States Army]]. Alvin Baldus was in the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] from 1966-1975 and again from 1989-1997.<ref>http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2129&keyword=baldus</ref>
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Alvin Baldus
|honorific-suffix =
|image = AlvinBaldus.jpg
|alt =
|state1 = [[Wisconsin]]
|district1 = {{ushr|Wisconsin|3|3rd}}
| term_start1 = January 3, 1975
| term_end1 = January 3, 1981
| predecessor1 = [[Vernon Wallace Thomson]]
| successor1 = [[Steve Gunderson]]
|office2 = Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]]
|constituency2 = [[Wisconsin's 29th Assembly district|29th Assembly district]]
| term_start2 = January 2, 1989
| term_end2 = January 6, 1997
| predecessor2 = [[Richard Shoemaker]]
| successor2 = [[Joe Plouff]]
|constituency3 = [[Wisconsin's 69th Assembly district|69th Assembly district]]
| term_start3 = January 1, 1973
| term_end3 = January 6, 1975
| predecessor3 = ''District established''
| successor3 = [[La Verne Ausman]]
|constituency4 = [[Dunn County, Wisconsin|Dunn County]] district
| term_start4 = January 2, 1967
| term_end4 = January 1, 1973
| predecessor4 = [[Francis L. Peterson]]
| successor4 = ''District abolished''
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|birth_date = {{birth date|1926|4|27}}
|birth_place = [[Garner, Iowa]], U.S.
|death_date = {{death date and age|2017|2|2|1926|4|27|mf=y}}
|death_place = [[Menomonie, Wisconsin]], U.S.
|restingplace = Saint Josephs Cemetery, Menomonie
|spouse = {{marriage|Anna Lorayne Reiten|1959|2017}}
|children = 5
|occupation =
|allegiance = United States
|branch = [[United States Army]]
|serviceyears = 1951&ndash;1953
|unit = [[2nd Infantry Division (United States)|2nd Div. U.S. Infantry]]
|battles = [[Korean War]]
}}
'''Alvin James "Al" Baldus''' (April 27, 1926{{spnd}}February 2, 2017) was an American [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] politician who served as a member of the [[United States House of Representatives]], representing [[Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district]] from 1975 to 1981. He also served 16 years in the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] (1967–1975 & 1989–1997).


==External links==
==Early and career==
Born in [[Garner, Iowa]], Baldus graduated from high school in [[Elkton, Minnesota]], and went to [[Riverland Community College]] (formerly Austin Junior College) in [[Austin, Minnesota]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rhielfuneralhome.com/obituaries/1222/Baldus-Alvin-J|title=Alvin J. Baldus|website=rhielfuneralhome.com}}</ref>
*{{CongBio|B000083}}


He was in the [[United States Merchant Marine]] from 1944 to 1946 and the [[United States Army]], serving in the [[Korean War]] from 1951 to 1953.<ref name="auto1"/>
==Notes==

In 1959, he wed Lorayne Reiten, to whom he would be married until his death in 2017.<ref name="auto1"/>

He served in the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] from 1966 to 1975 and again from 1989 to 1997.<ref name="obit">{{cite news| url=https://chippewa.com/dunnconnect/community/obituaries/obituary-alvin-al-james-baldus/article_58112d91-23f9-56bd-a9c0-9cce0469d649.html | title= Obituary: Alvin 'Al' James Baldus | newspaper=The Chippewa Herald | date= February 5, 2017 |accessdate= December 25, 2023 }}</ref>

==Congress==
He served three terms in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1975 to 1981, representing [[Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district]]—the first Democrat to hold this seat in 66 years.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} He served as part of the [[94th Congress|94th]], [[95th Congress|95th]] and [[96th Congress|96th United States Congresses]].<ref name="obit"/>

He ran unsuccessfully for [[United States House of Representatives elections, 1980#Wisconsin|reelection in 1980]], losing to Republican [[Steve Gunderson]].

==Personal life and family==
Alvin Baldus married Anna Lorayne "Lolly" Reiten in 1959, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie.<ref name="obit"/> They had six children together and were married for 58 years before his death in 2017. He died at his home in [[Menomonie, Wisconsin]], on February 2, 2017, at age 90.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2129&keyword=baldus|title=Alvin Baldus, Wisconsin Historical Society|access-date=2009-05-19|archive-date=2016-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408051539/http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2129&keyword=baldus|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>'Wisconsin Blue Book 1995-1996,' Biographical Sketch of Alvin Baldus, pg. 41</ref><ref name="auto1"/> He was buried at St Joseph's Catholic Church Cemetery.<ref name="obit"/>

Baldus' eldest daughter, Deb McGrath, ran for his former seat in the United States House of Representatives in the [[2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 3|2022 election]], but lost in the Democratic primary to state senator [[Brad Pfaff]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2021/11/10/deb-mcgrath-daughter-of-former-congressman-enters-primary-in-3rd-congressional-district/ |title= Deb McGrath, daughter of former congressman enters primary in 3rd Congressional District |newspaper= Wisconsin Examiner |first= Henry |last= Redman |date= November 10, 2021 |accessdate= December 25, 2023 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
{{start box}}
{{CongBio|B000083}}
*{{Find a Grave|175983379}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-wi-hs}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Francis L. Peterson]] }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]]}} {{nowrap|from the [[Dunn County, Wisconsin|Dunn County]] district}} |years= January 2, 1967{{spnd}}January 1, 1973 }}
{{s-non|reason = District abolished }}
|-
{{s-non|reason = District established by {{nowrap|[https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/1971/related/acts/304.pdf 1971 Wis. Act 304]}} }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]]}} {{nowrap|from the [[Wisconsin's 69th Assembly district|69th]] district}} |years= January 1, 1973{{spnd}}January 6, 1975 }}
{{s-aft|after = [[La Verne Ausman]] }}
|-
{{s-bef|before = [[Richard Shoemaker]] }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]]}} {{nowrap|from the [[Wisconsin's 29th Assembly district|29th]] district}} |years= January 2, 1989{{spnd}}January 6, 1997 }}
{{s-aft|after = [[Joe Plouff]] }}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{succession box |
{{US House succession box
before=[[Vernon Wallace Thomson]]|
| state=Wisconsin| district=3| before=[[Vernon Wallace Thomson]]| after=[[Steve Gunderson]]| years=January 3, 1975{{spaced ndash}}January 3, 1981}}
{{S-end}}
title=United States Representative for the 3rd Congressional District of Wisconsin |
{{USCongRep-start|congresses=94th–96th [[United States Congress]]es|state=[[Wisconsin]]}}
years=1975 - 1981 |
{{USCongRep/WI/94}}
after=[[Steve Gunderson]]
{{USCongRep/WI/95}}
}}
{{end box}}
{{USCongRep/WI/96}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Baldus, Alvin}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baldus, Alvin}}

[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Hancock County, Iowa]]
[[Category:People from Garner, Iowa]]
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:People from Prescott, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:American sailors]]
[[Category:United States Merchant Mariners of World War II]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin]]

[[Category:People from Menomonie, Wisconsin]]

[[Category:United States Army personnel of the Korean War]]
{{Wisconsin-politician-stub}}
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly]]
[[Category:Catholic politicians from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]

Latest revision as of 00:26, 8 December 2024

Alvin Baldus
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 3rd district
In office
January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1981
Preceded byVernon Wallace Thomson
Succeeded bySteve Gunderson
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 2, 1989 – January 6, 1997
Preceded byRichard Shoemaker
Succeeded byJoe Plouff
Constituency29th Assembly district
In office
January 1, 1973 – January 6, 1975
Preceded byDistrict established
Succeeded byLa Verne Ausman
Constituency69th Assembly district
In office
January 2, 1967 – January 1, 1973
Preceded byFrancis L. Peterson
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
ConstituencyDunn County district
Personal details
Born(1926-04-27)April 27, 1926
Garner, Iowa, U.S.
DiedFebruary 2, 2017(2017-02-02) (aged 90)
Menomonie, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeSaint Josephs Cemetery, Menomonie
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Anna Lorayne Reiten
​
​
(m. 1959⁠–⁠2017)​
Children5
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1951–1953
Unit2nd Div. U.S. Infantry
Battles/warsKorean War

Alvin James "Al" Baldus (April 27, 1926 – February 2, 2017) was an American Democratic politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district from 1975 to 1981. He also served 16 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1967–1975 & 1989–1997).

Early and career

[edit]

Born in Garner, Iowa, Baldus graduated from high school in Elkton, Minnesota, and went to Riverland Community College (formerly Austin Junior College) in Austin, Minnesota.[1]

He was in the United States Merchant Marine from 1944 to 1946 and the United States Army, serving in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.[1]

In 1959, he wed Lorayne Reiten, to whom he would be married until his death in 2017.[1]

He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1966 to 1975 and again from 1989 to 1997.[2]

Congress

[edit]

He served three terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1981, representing Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district—the first Democrat to hold this seat in 66 years.[citation needed] He served as part of the 94th, 95th and 96th United States Congresses.[2]

He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1980, losing to Republican Steve Gunderson.

Personal life and family

[edit]

Alvin Baldus married Anna Lorayne "Lolly" Reiten in 1959, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie.[2] They had six children together and were married for 58 years before his death in 2017. He died at his home in Menomonie, Wisconsin, on February 2, 2017, at age 90.[3][4][1] He was buried at St Joseph's Catholic Church Cemetery.[2]

Baldus' eldest daughter, Deb McGrath, ran for his former seat in the United States House of Representatives in the 2022 election, but lost in the Democratic primary to state senator Brad Pfaff.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Alvin J. Baldus". rhielfuneralhome.com.
  2. ^ a b c d "Obituary: Alvin 'Al' James Baldus". The Chippewa Herald. February 5, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  3. ^ "Alvin Baldus, Wisconsin Historical Society". Archived from the original on 2016-04-08. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  4. ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1995-1996,' Biographical Sketch of Alvin Baldus, pg. 41
  5. ^ Redman, Henry (November 10, 2021). "Deb McGrath, daughter of former congressman enters primary in 3rd Congressional District". Wisconsin Examiner. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
[edit]
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Dunn County district
January 2, 1967 – January 1, 1973 		District abolished
District established by 1971 Wis. Act 304 Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 69th district
January 1, 1973 – January 6, 1975 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 29th district
January 2, 1989 – January 6, 1997 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district
January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1981 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Alvin_Baldus&oldid=1261796789"