Paul Alfonsi

Paul Alfonsi (February 13, 1908 – November 22, 1989) was a Wisconsin politician and speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly.^[1]

Born in Pence, Wisconsin, Alfonsi graduated from University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, and then taught school. Alfonsi served in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1933-1939 and 1959–1969 and was speaker of the Assembly in 1937. Alfonsi ran, unsuccessfully, in an attempt to gain the Progressive Party nomination for governor in 1940, but was defeated by Orland Loomis. In 1942 he switched parties and ran, once again, unsuccessfully in the Republican primary against Alvin O'Konski. Following this defeat, he enlisted in the United States Army during World War Two. Upon being discharged, he returned to teaching and became the Principal of Minocqua High School. Alfonsi returned to the state assembly, this time as a Republican, in 1958, and went on to serve as the assembly majority and minority leader.^[2] In 1967, Alfonsi was convicted of bribery. However, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the conviction. Then Alfonsi was retried, but was acquitted.^[3] Alfonsi died in Madison, Wisconsin on November 22, 1989.^[4]

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