J. Bob Traxler
Jerome Bob Traxler (July 21, 1931 – October 30, 2019), also known as J. Bob Traxler or Bob Traxler, was an American politician from the state of Michigan.
J. Bob Traxler | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 8th district | |
In office April 23, 1974 – January 3, 1993 | |
Preceded by | James Harvey |
Succeeded by | James A. Barcia |
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 101st district Bay County (1963-1964) | |
In office January 1, 1963 – 1974 | |
Preceded by | Lester O. Begick |
Succeeded by | Colleen House |
Personal details | |
Born | Jerome Bob Traxler July 21, 1931 Kawkawlin, Michigan, U.S. |
Died | October 30, 2019 88) Bay City, Michigan, U.S. | (aged
Nationality | American |
Political party | Democratic |
Alma mater | Michigan State University |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Life and career
Traxler was born in Kawkawlin, Michigan, and attended the public schools in Bay City, including T.L. Handy High School. He received a B.A. from Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) in 1953 and an LL.B. from Detroit College of Law in 1959. He was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1960 and commenced practice in Bay City. While a student at Michigan State, he became a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.[1] He served in the United States Army, 1953–1955 and served as assistant Bay County prosecutor, 1960–1962. He was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, 1962–1974, and served as majority floor leader in the Michigan house, 1965–1966. He served on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2000. He served on the Mackinac Island State Park Commission from 1992 to 2005.
Following the resignation of Republican James Harvey on January 31, 1974, Traxler was elected as a Democrat on April 16, 1974 to fill the vacancy to the 93rd United States Congress in Michigan's 8th congressional district. He was subsequently re-elected to the nine succeeding Congresses, serving from April 23, 1974 until his retirement from Congress on January 3, 1993. Due to congressional redistricting following the 1990 census, the area represented by Traxler mostly became the 5th district. James A. Barcia was elected to succeed Traxler for the 103rd Congress in the re-drawn 5th congressional district.
Traxler was a resident of Saginaw, Michigan. He had at least one daughter, Sarah, with Mary Richards.[2] He married Jean B. Hose on January 1, 2006.
Traxler died on October 30, 2019.[3]
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by James Harvey |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 8th congressional district 1974–1993 |
Succeeded by James A. Barcia[4] |
Notes
- Wolverine. East Lansing, Michigan: Michigan State College. 1953. p. 352.
- "WEDDING | www.mackinacislandnews.com | Mackinac Island Town Crier". Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- Spangler, Todd (October 31, 2019). "Former US Rep. 'Bingo Bob' Traxler dies at 88, served in Washington nearly 20 years". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- Due to redistricting, the boundaries of the 8th district changed. Most of what had been the 8th district became the 5th district. James A. Barcia was elected to succeed Traxler for the 103rd Congress in the re-drawn 5th congressional district.
References
- United States Congress. "J. Bob Traxler (id: T000356)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- The Political Graveyard
- Appearances on C-SPAN