Blais, Denis oral history interview, 1998

File

Identifier: MOH 028

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Interview includes discussions of: Maine legislature; Democratic National Committee; Maine Democratic Party (1952-1954); 1954 Maine gubernatorial campaign; Maine Governor (1955- 1956) ; 1956 Maine gubernatorial campaign; Maine Governor (1957-1958); 1968 Vice Presidential campaign; Muskie’s Presidential campaign (1969-1972); Denis Blais personal information; the merger of AFL and CIO; the revival of the Democratic party; the connection between Democratic Party and Labor; the Frank Coffin gubernatorial campaign; Blais’s election records from 1950; and the 1968 Democratic Convention.

Dates

1998

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Biographical / Historical

Denis Blais was born in Canada and moved to Rhode Island at age three. He dropped out of school at age fourteen to work as a stock clerk at a textile mill in order to support his family. From 1943-1946, he served as a surgical technician in England. He married while in the military. He was very involved in the unions, becoming coordinator of all American unions. He supported Muskie through union involvement. Blais was also involved in civil rights and IWOA.