Teno Roncalio

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Former U.S. Rep. Teno Roncalio, D-Wyo., at age 82

Teno Roncalio (March 23, 1916 - March 30, 2003) was a Democratic politician from Wyoming who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1967 and again from 1971 until 1978.

Roncalio was born to an Italian immigrant family in Rock Springs, Wyoming. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in the Normandy invasion.

After the war, he earned a law degree at the University of Wyoming and served as the prosecuting attorney for Laramie County from 1950 to 1956. In 1957, he was elected as chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party. Roncalio also was chosen as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968.

In 1964, he narrowly defeated Republican Rep. William Henry Harrison to win Wyoming's at-large congressional seat. Roncalio gave up the seat two years later to become the Democratic nominee for United States Senate. He was edged out in that race by Republican Clifford P. Hansen.

In 1970, Wyoming's House seat became open again. Roncalio ran for his old job, winning by just 608 votes.

During his time in Congress, Roncalio pushed to increase Wyoming's share of federal mineral royalties and advocated a balance between environmental concerns and development. He casually announced his plans to leave politics at a 1977 football game, paving the way for Republican Dick Cheney to win his congressional seat.

Roncalio returned to Wyoming, where he died of congestive heart failure in 2003. The post office in Rock Springs, Wyoming, is named in his honor.

Preceded by William Henry Harrison (R)	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming's At-large congressional district 1965 – 1967	Succeeded by William Henry Harrison (R)
Preceded by John S. Wold (R)	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming's At-large congressional district 1971 – 1978	Succeeded by Dick Cheney (R)