Pete T. Cenarrusa
| Pete T. Cenarrusa | |
|---|---|
Cenarrusa in July 2010
|
|
| Secretary of State of Idaho | |
|
In office May 1, 1967 – January 6, 2003 |
|
| Preceded by | Edson H. Deal |
| Succeeded by | Ben Ysursa |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Pete Thomas Cenarrusa December 16, 1917 Carey, Idaho, U.S. |
| Died | September 29, 2013 (aged 95) Boise, Idaho, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Resting place | Bellevue Cemetery Bellevue, Idaho |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Freda Coates Cenarrusa (1928– ) (m. 1947–2013, his death) |
| Children | 1 son: Joe (1948–1997) |
| Parents | Joe Cenarrusa Ramona Gardoqui |
| Alma mater |
University of Idaho B.S. (agric.) 1940 |
| Profession | Education, agriculture state government |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 U.S. Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1942–1945, 1945–1963 (reserve) |
| Rank |
 Major
|
| Unit | Aviation |
| Battles/wars | World War II, Cold War |
Pete Thomas Cenarrusa (December 16, 1917 – September 29, 2013) was a Republican politician from Idaho. He served continuously for over half a century in elective office, first as a member of the Idaho Legislature and then as Secretary of State.
Born in Carey, Idaho, Cenarrusa graduated from the territorial school in Bellevue and attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, where he was a member of the Vandals' boxing team and the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1940 and taught math and science and coached in Carey, Cambridge, and Glenns Ferry. During World War II, Cenarrusa was an aviator in the Marine Corps.
Cenarrusa was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives from Blaine County in 1950. He served in that capacity for 16 years, including six as speaker of the house.
In May 1967, Cenarrusa was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Don Samuelson to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Edson H. Deal. Cenarussa was elected to a full term in 1970. He was reelected seven times (1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998). Cenarrusa did not run for reelection in 2002, instead supporting his longtime chief deputy, Ben Ysursa. Upon leaving office Cenarrusa was the longest-serving secretary of state in the United States. Cenarrusa is also the longest-serving elected public official in Idaho history, having held elective office for a total of 52 years.
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