Jerry Joseph O’Connell

Jerry Joseph O’Connell served as a Representative from Montana in the United States Congress from 1937 to 1939. A member of the Democratic Party, Jerry Joseph O’Connell contributed to the legislative process during 1 term in office.

Jerry Joseph O’Connell’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Jerry Joseph O’Connell participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell (June 14, 1909 – January 16, 1956) was an American attorney and politician. He is most notable for his service as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Montana. A native of Butte, Montana, he graduated from Carroll College in Helena, and attended Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America and Georgetown University. Elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 1930 at age 21, he served from 1931 to 1934, and was one of the youngest state legislators in Montana’s history. He served on the state Public Service Commission from 1935 to 1937. In 1936, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, and he served one term. O’Connell was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1938, and for election to Congress in 1940. O’Connell became involved in left wing politics beginning in the mid 1930s. In the 1940s, he was active in the state of Washington as a leader of the Democratic and Progressive parties, and was a backer of Henry A. Wallace in the 1948 presidential election. In 1950, O’Connell returned to Montana from Washington state. He was admitted to the bar and established a practice in Great Falls, Montana. He built a reputation as a capable criminal defense attorney, and practiced until his sudden death from a heart attack in 1956. O’Connell was buried in Great Falls.