House 1927-34 (District 30); Senate 1935-54 (District 30); Senate 1955-62 (District 30); Senate 1963-70 (District 38)
Party when first elected: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Counties Served: Hennepin
University of Minnesota; Attended College; Northwestern College of Law, Minneapolis; Law Degree;
Spouse: Virna A. Wood (she was a Secretary for the Minnesota House of Representatives, she died on June 19, 1986) Children: Two children: Donald Orr Jr. (preceded his dad in death) and Charles W. (sons) Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature: Fred Beriah Wright - Father
He is an active Republican and a member of the state party's delegation to the GOP national convention in 1940." (Typewritten Profile, Source Unknown, 1957?)"Wright, a Minneapolis Conservative..." ("Roy E. Dunn and Donald O. Wright." Star Tribune, July 28, 1985)"...once describing a governor from his own Republican party as 'wooden-headed'..." ("Donald O. Wright" Star Tribune, July 26, 1985)He became Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota in late 1954 after Ancher Nelsen resigned to become Administrator of the Rural Electric Administration.The record for the greatest number of years served overall for the Minnesota Legislature (both House and Senate service) is held by Carl M. Iverson, and Anton J. Rockne at 44 years of service. Donald O. Wright's length of service would be tied with them if his four month service as Lieutenant Governor in late 1954 was counted as legislative service.The record for number of years served in the Minnesota Senate is held by Anton J. Rockne at 36 years of service. Donald O. Wright's length of Senate service would be tied with him if his four month service as Lieutenant Governor in late 1954 was counted as legislative service.He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.He died at the St. Louis Park Plaza Nursing Home in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. His funeral was held at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Religion provided by his obituary.
Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 645 State Office Building, Saint Paul, MN 55155