Former Gov. Al Quie reflects on career, celebrates milestone birthday
Former Minnesota governor and congressman Al Quie is celebrating a milestone. The Republican and 35th governor of the state turns 90 years old. Quie served in congress for over 20 years, then in 1978, was elected to the office of governor where he served one term. Al Quie speaks with MPR News about his life and career, a brief timeline of which follows.
• Sept. 18, 1923: Quie was born in southeastern Minnesota on a farm near Dennison.
• 1943-1945: Served as a U.S. Navy pilot during World War II.
• 1948: Married Gretchen M. Hansen.
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• 1950: Graduated with a degree in political science from St. Olaf College.
• 1955-1958: Represented Rice County area (District 18) in the Minnesota State Senate.
• 1958: Won a special election to fill the seat of Rep. August H. Anderson, who died in office.
• 1958-1979: Represented southeastern Minnesota in the U.S. House of Representatives.
• 1978: Elected governor of Minnesota, defeating DFL candidate Rudy Perpich.
• 1982: Announced he would not seek re-election (text of farewell address)
• 1982: Appointed to serve on President Reagan's Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations.
• 2010: Quie, along with 17 other prominent Republicans, was banned for two years from Republican party activities for showing public support of Independence Party's gubernatorial candidate, Tom Horner. (Ex-Gov. Quie laughs off Republican ban)
• 2012: Served as the campaign adviser for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kurt Bills.
• 2013: Donated to the mayoral campaign of DFL Minneapolis City Councilmember Don Samuels.
Compiled by MPR News intern Marcheta Fornoff
