Rodney N. Searle

Rodney N. Searle, Sr.
46th Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office January 1979 – May 1979
Preceded by	Martin Olav Sabo
Succeeded by	Fred C. Norton
Minnesota State Representative from District 30B
In office January 1973 – January 1981
Preceded by	Paul R. Petrafeso
Succeeded by	Jerry E. Schoenfeld
Minnesota State Representative from District 9B
In office January 1967 – January 1973
Preceded by	District Created
Succeeded by	Arlan Stangeland
Minnesota State Representative from District 8
In office January 1963 – January 1967
Preceded by	Howard R. Albertson
Succeeded by	District Abolished
Minnesota State Representative from District 16
In office January 1957 – January 1963
Preceded by	Omar C. Dahle
Succeeded by	Fred H. Berke
Personal details
Born	July 17, 1920 (1920-07-17) Camden, New Jersey
Political party	Independent-Republican
Spouse(s)	Janette E. Christie
Children	R. Newell Jr.,Alan J., and Linda
Residence	Waseca, Minnesota
Alma mater	Mankato State College
Profession	Farmer Underwriter
Religion	Episcopalian

Rodney Newell "Rod" Searle, Sr. (born July 17, 1920, in Camden, New Jersey) is a Minnesota Republican politician and a former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Searle served in the Minnesota House for 24 years.

Searle was first elected to represent Waseca, Minnesota in 1956. He was a part of the Conservative caucus during the period in which Minnesota's legislature was nonpartisan, becoming officially a Republican representative in 1973. He rose to chair the Higher Education committee, and eventually was named Assistant Minority Leader by his caucus in 1975.

After the election of 1978, the house was divided equally between Independent-Republicans and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Searle was chosen as speaker in a compromise between the two parties. In May, Democrats gained a seat, giving the party a majority in the body. Searle was named Minority Leader by his caucus, and was replaced by Fred C. Norton.

Searle retired from the House after the 1980 election. He later served as president of the Minnesota State University Board.

Papers

Papers consisting of correspondence, legislative files, Republican Party and campaign files, book research files, speeches, photographs, and biographical materials are available for research use.

References

Political offices
Preceded by Martin Olav Sabo	Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives 1979	Succeeded by Fred C. Norton