John J. O'Connell (politician)

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
GovernorAlbert D. Rosellini
Daniel J. Evans
Preceded byDon Eastvold
Succeeded bySlade Gorton
Personal details
BornApril 30, 1919
Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
DiedMarch 24, 1998 (aged 78)
Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMargaret
Children6
EducationGonzaga University (LLB)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Battles/warsWorld War II

Early life and education

O'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

After 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

O'Connell and his wife, Margaret, had six children. He died in Tacoma on March 24, 1998, at the age of 78.[4]

References
  1. "John O'connell, Former State Attorney General, Dies At 78 | The Seattle Times". archive.seattletimes.com. Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  2. KVOS Special: Interview with John J. O'Connell
  3. 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.
  4. "The Political Graveyard: Pierce County, Wash". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2020-08-20.
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