Arlen Erdahl

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Arlen Erdahl
Arlen Erdahl

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 1st district
In office
1979 – 1983
Preceded by Al Quie
Succeeded by Tim Penny

Born February 27, 1931 (1931-02-27) (age 77)
Political party Republican
Spouse Ellen Syrdal Erdahl
Religion Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Arlen Ingolf Erdahl was born in Minnesota, February 27, 1931 and attended St. Olaf College.

A Republican, he served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1963 to 1970.Minnesota Secretary of State from 1971 – 1975 and was a U.S. Representative from Minnesota, serving the first district from 1979 – 1983, in the 96th and 97th congresses.

He was Principal Deputy/Acting Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy from 1989 to 1993. Erdahl also served as Associate Director/Country Director for the Peace Corps from 1983 to 1989. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He received his master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College.

He currently serves on the board of the United Nations Association of Minnesota.

In 1999 he won the Twin Cities International Citizen Award, an informal joint project of the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and the Counties of Hennepin and Ramsey.

His twin brother, Lowell O. Erdahl, is a former ELCA Synod Bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod.

Arlen Erdahl's successful campaign for Minnesota's First Congressional seat in 1978 was managed by Arlen Wittrock. During his four years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Keith Hall served as his Washington Chief of Staff and Arlen Wittrock served as his Minnesota Chief of Staff.

Preceded by
Al Quie
U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 1st congressional district
1979 – 1983
Succeeded by
Tim Penny
Preceded by
Joseph L. Donovan
Secretary of State of Minnesota
1971 – 1975
Succeeded by
Joan Growe