Charles J. Kersten
Encyclopedia
Charles Joseph Kersten was a U.S. Representative
from Wisconsin
(5th Congressional District).
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Kersten graduated from Marquette University College of Law
, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, in 1925 and was admitted to the bar the same year.
He commenced the practice of law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, in 1928, serving as first assistant district attorney of Milwaukee County from 1937-1943.
Kersten was elected as a Republican
to the Eightieth Congress (January 3, 1947-January 3, 1949). He was a close friend of fellow freshman Congressman Richard Nixon
.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1948 to the Eighty-first Congress.
Kersten was elected to the Eighty-second and Eighty-third Congresses (January 3, 1951-January 3, 1955).
He served as chairman of the Select Committee on Communist Aggression (Eighty-third Congress).
He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1954, and failed in his bid for renomination in 1956. In between these campaigns Kersten briefly served in the Eisenhower administration under Nelson Rockefeller
as White House consultant on psychological warfare (1955–1956).
He then resumed his law practice, remaining active in anticommunist circles until his death October 31, 1972, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
.
He was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
(5th Congressional District).
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Kersten graduated from Marquette University College of Law
Marquette University Law School
Marquette University Law School is the professional school for the study of law at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and one of only two law schools in Wisconsin. With 45 full-time professors and approximately 760 J.D. students, the law school is ranked in the top tier among American...
, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, in 1925 and was admitted to the bar the same year.
He commenced the practice of law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, in 1928, serving as first assistant district attorney of Milwaukee County from 1937-1943.
Kersten was elected as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to the Eightieth Congress (January 3, 1947-January 3, 1949). He was a close friend of fellow freshman Congressman Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1948 to the Eighty-first Congress.
Kersten was elected to the Eighty-second and Eighty-third Congresses (January 3, 1951-January 3, 1955).
He served as chairman of the Select Committee on Communist Aggression (Eighty-third Congress).
He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1954, and failed in his bid for renomination in 1956. In between these campaigns Kersten briefly served in the Eisenhower administration under Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was the 41st Vice President of the United States , serving under President Gerald Ford, and the 49th Governor of New York , as well as serving the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations in a variety of positions...
as White House consultant on psychological warfare (1955–1956).
He then resumed his law practice, remaining active in anticommunist circles until his death October 31, 1972, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
.
He was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery.