Paul Alfonsi

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Paul Alfonsi
55th Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 4, 1937 – January 2, 1939
Preceded byJorge W. Carow
Succeeded byVernon Wallace Thomson
Majority Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 6, 1969 – January 4, 1971
Preceded byJ. Curtis McKay
Succeeded byNorman C. Anderson
In office
January 7, 1963 – January 4, 1965
Preceded byRobert Haase
Succeeded byFrank Nikolay
Minority Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
October 4, 1965 – July 8, 1866
Preceded byRobert Haase
Succeeded byRobert T. Huber
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 4, 1965 – January 4, 1971
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byEllsworth K. Gaulke
ConstituencyForest–Oneida–Vilas district
In office
January 5, 1959 – January 4, 1965
Preceded byMarvin E. Dillman
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
ConstituencyIron–Oneida–Vilas district
In office
January 2, 1933 – January 6, 1941
Preceded byJohn Benson
Succeeded byJohn P. Varda
ConstituencyIron–Vilas district
Personal details
Born(1908-02-13)February 13, 1908
Pence, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedNovember 22, 1989(1989-11-22) (aged 81)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeSaint Mary's Cemetery, Hurley, Wisconsin
Political party
Spouses
  • Irene Bresadola
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1928; div. 1948)​
  • Geraldine Mae Plante
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1948⁠–⁠1989)​
Children
  • 1 (with Irene)
  • 3 (with Geraldine Plante)
EducationWhitewater State College
OccupationInsurance
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1943–1946
Battles/warsWorld War II

Paul R. Alfonsi (February 13, 1908 – November 22, 1989) was an American educator, businessman, and Progressive Republican politician from northern Wisconsin. He was the 55th speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, and served a total of 20 years in the Assembly, spread over the 1930s, 1950s, and 1960s. Later in his career, he also served two terms as majority leader and half a term as minority leader, when he was convicted of receiving a bribe—that conviction was later reversed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Early life and education[edit]

Paul R. Alfonsi was born of Corsican parents[1] in the town of Pence, in Iron County, Wisconsin, on February 13, 1908. He graduated from high school in nearby Hurley, Wisconsin, and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Whitewater State College (now the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater), in 1928. After graduating, he taught school for several years, and was also employed as a school principal.[2]

Political career[edit]

Early years in the Progressive party[edit]

In 1932, Alfonsi made his first run the Wisconsin State Assembly, running on the Republican Party ticket. He prevailed in a five-person Republican primary, running as a member of the progressive faction.[3] He went on to win the general election with 44% of the vote in a three candidate race, with one of his primary opponents running as an independent Republican in the general.[4]

During the 1933 session of the Legislature, the split between the progressive and conservative factions of the Republican Party of Wisconsin finally became a formal schism, with the Wisconsin Progressive Party forming in the spring of 1934. Alfonsi attended the convention which organized the new party and then formed the Iron County Progressive Party, which immediately made him their chairman.[5] He ran for re-election in 1934 on the Wisconsin Progressive ticket and prevailed over Democratic and Republican opponents.[6] Alfonsi was re-elected two more terms as a Progressive in 1936 and 1938, and was chosen as speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly in the 1937 legislative session.[2]

In 1940, rather than running for a fifth term in the Assembly, Alfonsi decided to seek the Progressive nomination for Governor of Wisconsin in the 1940 Wisconsin gubernatorial election. Alfonsi was ultimately one of five progressives seeking the nomination, and finished a distant fourth in the September primary.[7]

While serving in the Assembly, Alfonsi had also been elected to chairman of the town of Pence and a member of the Iron County board of supervisors, and continued in these offices after leaving the Assembly in 1941. By 1942, Alfonsi had soured on the viability of the Progressive Party as an independent 3rd party and ran for United States House of Representatives in the Republican Party primary.[8] In another five-person primary, Alfonsi came in fourth again.[9]

Out of office[edit]

Less than a year after the 1942 primary, Alfonsi enlisted for service in the United States Army due to the United States entrance into World War II. Over the previous few years, Alfonsi had also studied law at the University of Wisconsin and in the offices of Richard C. Trembath, but did not complete his legal education after his war service.[10] After serving at several domestic bases through 1943 and 1944, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned as a public relations officer at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin in the summer of 1945.[11]

In 1946, as his service in the Army was coming to an end, Alfonsi announced he would run again for state office, seeking the Republican nomination for State Treasurer of Wisconsin.[12] However, Alfonsi arrived half an hour late to file his candidacy paperwork, and was therefore ruled ineligible for the election. Alfonsi attested that he was unaware of the new 5pm deadline—the deadline had previously been midnight.[13] After being disqualified, Alfonsi went to work as campaign manager for the gubernatorial campaign of Ralph M. Immell, who made a surprisingly strong run in the Republican primary against incumbent Governor Walter Samuel Goodland.[14]

After the 1946 elections, Alfonsi was appointed a public relations officer for the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and served in that role until the fall of 1847.[15] Subsequently, Alfonsi returned to teaching, residing at Minocqua, Wisconsin, and worked as principal of Minocqua High School.[16]

In 1950, Alfonsi attempted another return to politics, launching a primary challenge against incumbent Republican state representative Clarence W. Gilley in the Florence–Forest–Oneida district.[17] During the primary, Gilley used a 1940s report of the House Un-American Activities Committee to accuse Alfonsi of having associated with communists. At issue was Alfonsi's involvement with the Wisconsin Conference in Social Legislation in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Wisconsin Conference in Social Legislation was established by labor groups, but was later found to have also received money from communist sources.[18] Alfonsi narrowly lost the primary, receiving 48% of the vote.[19] Alfonsi resumed his teaching career, and remained principal at Minocqua for several more years, resigning ultimately in 1955.[20]

In 1956, he announced his intention to run for Wisconsin Senate in the 12th Senate district, but ultimately did not enter the race.[21][22]

Return to office[edit]

Alfonsi finally succeeded in returning to office in 1958. He announced his candidacy to run for Assembly again in June 1958.[23] Since the 1954 redistricting, his new home of Minocqua was in the same Assembly district as his native place, Iron County. He narrowly prevailed in the primary, unseating the incumbent Republican Marvin E. Dillman, and went on to win the general election with 52% of the vote. He defeated Democratic candidate Henry J. Berquist, another former member of the Wisconsin Progressive Party.[24] He was elected to two more terms in this Assembly district before the court-ordered redistricting of 1964, carried out by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.[25][26]

Following redistricting, Alfonsi won three more terms in his new Assembly district, then comprising Forest, Oneida, and Vilas counties.[27][28]

He was chosen as majority leader for the 1963–1964 session. After Republicans lost the majority in the 1964 election, the former speaker Robert Haase took over the office of minority leader, but resigned in October 1965 to become state insurance commissioner. The caucus then selected Alfonsi to resume the post as floor leader.[29]

Bribery case[edit]

During the 1965–1966 legislative term, an investigation was initiated in Dane County to look into allegations of violations of the state lobbying law. Ultimately, in June 1966, the investigation resulted in an indictment against Alfonsi and another Republic state representative, Willis J. Hutnik, for receiving bribes.[30] Less than a month later, Alfonsi was convicted by a Dane County jury on charges that he accepted about $100 of travel and lodging expenses associated with official appearances. The Governor, Republican Warren P. Knowles, immediately denounced the verdict, stating that accepting such expenses was common in the Legislature and Congress.[31]

Alfonsi was forced to leave office, but immediately appealed the conviction, ultimately winning a reprieve from the Wisconsin Supreme Court in January 1967, on the grounds that he lacked the corrupt intent required by the statute.[32] In the meantime, Alfonsi was elected to another term while waiting for the Supreme Court decision, but was only allowed to return to office after the conviction was overturned.

Following the Supreme Court decision, Dane County district attorney James Boll initiated another investigation into the Alfonsi case, and announced in July 1967 that he would re-try the bribery case.[33] Republicans in the state generally dismissed the cases as politically-motivated scheme orchestrated by state attorney general Bronson La Follette. The case was eventually transferred to Grant County, where Alfonsi was finally acquitted. La Follette attempted to appeal that verdict to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, on grounds of flawed jury instructions, but was unsuccessful.[34]

Following his acquittal, Alfonsi was elected to his tenth and final term in 1968.[35] He was chosen to serve again as Republican majority leader for the 1969–1970 legislative term.[2] There was speculation in 1970 that he would run for lieutenant governor in 1970, but Alfonsi announced his intention to retire from public office in May of that year.[36]

Later years[edit]

After leaving office, Alfonsi served for several years as a lobbyist in Madison, moving his primary residence to the nearby city of Middleton, Wisconsin.[37]

Alfonsi died at the University Hospital in Madison on November 22, 1989.[38]

Personal life and family[edit]

Paul Alfonsi was married twice. He married his first wife, Irene Bresadola, in August 1928 in Gogebic County, Michigan. They were married for 20 years before Alfonsi sued for divorce in 1948. At the time, he charged mental cruelty. Almost immediately, Alfonsi married Geraldine Mae Plante in Reno, Nevada. Alfonsi had one daughter with his first wife and three children with his second wife.[15] His second marriage lasted through his death.

His only son, Philip Alfonsi, also became involved in politics and was an aide to state senator Reuben La Fave. He ran for Assembly in 1976, but was not elected.[37]

Electoral history[edit]

Wisconsin Assembly (1932–1938)[edit]

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1932 Primary[4] Sep. 20 Paul R. Alfonsi Republican 1,550 28.63% K. Martin Thompson Rep. 1,379 25.47% 5,414 171
Ed Evenson Rep. 1,026 18.95%
Arthur Anderson Rep. 770 14.22%
Charles Lacy Rep. 689 12.73%
General[4] Nov. 8 Paul R. Alfonsi Republican 2,829 44.29% J. B. Carlin Dem. 2,062 32.28% 6,388 767
K. Martin Thompson Ind.R. 1,497 23.43%
1934 General[6] Nov. 6 Paul R. Alfonsi (inc) Progressive 3,012 40.27% Frank Wierichs Rep. 2,246 30.03% 7,480 766
William F. Rugee Dem. 2,187 29.24%
John Christiansen Ind. 27 0.36%
1936 Primary[39] Sep. 15 Paul R. Alfonsi (inc) Progressive 1,013 85.05% Louis Bertotti Prog. 178 14.95% 1,191 835
General[39] Nov. 3 Paul R. Alfonsi (inc) Progressive 3,844 51.98% Frank Wierichs Rep. 3,551 48.02% 7,395 293
1938 General[40] Nov. 8 Paul R. Alfonsi (inc) Progressive 4,368 52.79% William R. Yeschek Rep. 3,906 47.21% 8,274 462

Wisconsin Governor (1940)[edit]

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Election, 1940[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive Primary, September 17, 1940
Progressive Orland Steen Loomis 50,699 33.05%
Progressive Harold E. Stafford 41,311 26.93%
Progressive Philip E. Nelson 24,485 15.96%
Progressive Paul R. Alfonsi 22,531 14.69%
Progressive Henry Gunderson 14,372 9.37%
Plurality 9,388 6.12%
Total votes 153,398 100.0%

U.S. House of Representatives (1942)[edit]

Wisconsin's 10th Congressional District Election, 1942[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Primary, September 15, 1942
Republican Alvin O'Konski 10,916 41.11%
Republican Andrew Borg 5,728 21.57%
Republican Lyndon Emerich 5,096 19.19%
Republican Paul R. Alfonsi 3,017 11.36%
Republican Dwight Kenyon 1,795 6.76%
Plurality 5,188 19.54%
Total votes 26,552 100.0%

Wisconsin Assembly (1950)[edit]

Wisconsin Assembly, Florence–Forest–Oneida District Election, 1950[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Primary, September 19, 1950
Republican Clarence W. Gilley (incumbent) 2,410 51.67%
Republican Paul R. Alfonsi 2,254 48.33%
Plurality 156 3.34%
Total votes 4,664 100.0%

Wisconsin Assembly (Iron–Oneida–Vilas district) (1958–1962)[edit]

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1958 Primary[24] Sep. 9 Paul R. Alfonsi Republican 2,609 42.83% Marvin E. Dillman (inc) Rep. 2,540 41.69% 6,092 69
Stephen J. Gwidt Rep. 943 15.48%
General[24] Nov. 4 Paul R. Alfonsi Republican 8,732 52.49% Henry J. Berquist Dem. 7,904 47.51% 16,636 828
1960 Primary[25] Sep. 13 Paul R. Alfonsi (inc) Republican 3,040 76.13% Stanley J. Gwidt Rep. 953 23.87% 3,993 2,087
General[25] Nov. 8 Paul R. Alfonsi (inc) Republican 11,366 59.34% Louis Leoni Dem. 7,787 40.66% 19,153 3,579
1962 Primary[26] Sep. 11 Paul R. Alfonsi (inc) Republican 5,190 73.44% Anthony P. Mutter Rep. 1,877 26.56% 7,067 3,313
General[26] Nov. 6 Paul R. Alfonsi (inc) Republican 9,658 63.21% Herman F. Jessen Dem. 5,621 36.79% 15,279 4,037

Wisconsin Assembly (Forest–Oneida–Vilas district) (1964–1970)[edit]

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1964 General[27] Nov. 3 Paul R. Alfonsi Republican 9,939 53.29% Charles J. Marshall Dem. 8,713 46.71% 18,652 1,226
1966 General[28] Nov. 8 Paul R. Alfonsi (inc) Republican 8,348 57.86% Raymond F. Sloan Dem. 6,081 42.14% 14,429 2,267
1968 General[35] Nov. 5 Paul R. Alfonsi (inc) Republican 11,123 61.56% John J. Joo Dem. 6,946 38.44% 18,069 4,177

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://ohms.wisconsinhistory.org/oral-history/render.php?cachefile=WSA0332.xml
  2. ^ a b c "Alfonsi, Paul R. 1908". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  3. ^ "Five in Race for Assembly". Iron County News. August 13, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c Witte, Edwin E.; Kelly, Alice, eds. (1931). "Parties and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1933 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 545, 553. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "Progressives to Make Fight in Northland". The Rhinelander Daily News. May 21, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b Ohm, Howard F.; Bryhan, Leone G., eds. (1935). "Parties and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1935 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 557, 626. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Ohm, Howard F.; Bryhan, Leone G., eds. (1942). "Parties and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1942 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. p. 578. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  8. ^ "Alfonsi Makes Announcement of Candidacy". Iron County News. May 8, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b Ohm, Howard F.; Bryhan, Leone G., eds. (1944). "Parties and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1944 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. p. 511. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  10. ^ "Paul Alfonsi is Private in Army". The Capital Times. July 27, 1943. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Lt. Paul Alfonsi Assumes New Post at Camp McCoy". Iron County News. July 20, 1945. p. 4. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Paul Alfonsi Seek Treasurer Post". Wisconsin State Journal. May 11, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Eight run for Governor; Alfonsi Fails on Deadline". Iron County Miner. June 7, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Big Vote Here in Iron County: Shea, Lafave, Darin, Kopacz, Raineri Win". Iron County Miner. August 16, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b "Paul R. Alfonsi Sues for Divorce". Wisconsin State Journal. January 5, 1948. p. 5. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Wyngaard, John (May 6, 1949). "Government and Politics". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 4. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Paul Alfonsi Seeks Seat in Assembly". Wisconsin State Journal. June 15, 1950. p. 9. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Gilley for Assemblyman (September 6, 1950). "Advertisement: Report to Voters". The Rhinelander Daily News. p. 3. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ a b Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1952). "Parties and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1952 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. p. 681. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  20. ^ "Principal Resigns". La Crosse Tribune. April 11, 1955. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Paul Alfonsi to Seek State Senate Post". Iron County Miner. May 4, 1956. p. 9. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1958). "Parties and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1958 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. p. 671. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  23. ^ "Paul Alfonsi to Seek GOP Assembly Nomination". Iron County Miner. June 13, 1958. p. 10. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ a b c Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1960). "State Party Platforms and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1960 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 661, 698. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  25. ^ a b c Toepel, M. G.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1962). "Wisconsin Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1962 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 795, 867. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  26. ^ a b c Theobald, H. Rupert, ed. (1964). "Elections in Wisconsin". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1964 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 721, 765. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  27. ^ a b Theobald, H. Rupert, ed. (1966). "Elections in Wisconsin". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1966 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 741, 756. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1968). "Elections in Wisconsin". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1968 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 713, 725. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  29. ^ Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2021). "Historical Lists" (PDF). State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2021–2022 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 469. ISBN 978-1-7333817-1-0. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  30. ^ "Alfonsi and Hutnik Face Bribery Counts". Wisconsin State Journal. June 23, 1966. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "Governor Hits Alfonsi Jury Verdict". The Capital Times. July 11, 1966. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ State v. Alfonsi, 33 Wis. 2d 469 (Wisconsin Supreme Court January 10, 1967).
  33. ^ "James Boll's Report of the John Doe Probe". The Capital Times. July 24, 1967. p. 32. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "State May Appeal Alfonsi's Acquittal". The Capital Times. April 13, 1968. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ a b Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1970). "Elections in Wisconsin". The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1970 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 804, 818. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  36. ^ Wyngaard, John; Wyngaard, Tim (May 10, 1970). "Inside the Capitol". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 7. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ a b "Another Alfonsi Trying to Make Political Mark". The Capital Times. May 8, 1976. p. 19. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Ex-Lawmaker Alfonsi dies". Wisconsin State Journal. November 23, 1989. p. 18. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ a b Ohm, Howard F.; Bryhan, Leone G., eds. (1937). "Parties and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1937 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 359, 431. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  40. ^ Ohm, Howard F.; Bryhan, Leone G., eds. (1940). "Parties and Elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1940 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 549, 618. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Iron–Vilas district
January 2, 1933 – January 6, 1941 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Iron–Oneida–Vilas district
January 5, 1959 – January 4, 1965 		District abolished
District created Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Forest–Oneida–Vilas district
January 4, 1965 – January 4, 1971 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly
January 4, 1937 – January 2, 1939 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly
January 7, 1963 – January 4, 1965 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Robert Haase
 Minority Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly
October 4, 1965 – January 2, 1967 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly
January 6, 1969 – January 4, 1971 		Succeeded by
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