Donald L. Totten Explained

Donald Totten
Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York
Death Place:Cornelius, North Carolina
State Senate:Illinois
District:3rd
Term Start:1981
Term End:1983
Predecessor:David J. Regner
Successor:William Marovitz
Office1:Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
Term Start1:1973
Term End1:1981
Party:Republican
Residence:Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Alma Mater:University of Notre Dame
Profession:Mechanical Engineer
Politician

Donald Lee Totten (February 19, 1933  - April 2, 2019) was an American mechanical engineer and politician who served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1973 to 1981 and in the Illinois Senate from 1981 to 1983.

Early life and career

Totten was born in Brooklyn in New York City. He lived with his family in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Totten attended Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood and Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1955, Totten received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from University of Notre Dame. In 1955 he moved to Illinois and worked as an industrial plant engineer.

Political career

He was involved with the Republican Party and with Schaumburg Township Republican Party Committee. Totten served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1973 to 1981 and in the Illinois Senate from 1981 to 1983. In 1982, Totten ran for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor, finishing third behind Susan Catania and Republican nominee George Ryan.[1] He helped with the presidential campaigns for Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984, and served as the Illinois coordinator for the presidential campaign of Jack Kemp in the 1988 Republican primaries.[2] He also served on the Regional Transportation Authority in Illinois.

Death

Totten died from heart failure at his daughter's house in Cornelius, North Carolina.[3] [4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. News: Associated Press. Thompson nominated, to face Stevenson. March 17, 1982. The Southeast Missourian. August 9, 2021.
  2. News: Kemp Coordinator is Optimistic. November 27, 1987. 9. The State Journal-Register.
  3. 'Illinois Blue Book 1981-1962,' Biographical Sketch of Donald L. Totten, pg. 74
  4. Goldsborough, Bob. "Donald Totten, Cook County Republican leader who led Midwest efforts for two Reagan presidential runs, dies", Chicago Tribune, April 12, 2019. Accessed September 23, 2020.
  5. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/donald-totten-obituary?pid=192118177 Donald Lee Totten-obituary