Paul Laxalt

Birth Name: Paul Dominique Laxalt

Date of Birth: August 2, 1922

Place of Birth: Reno, Nevada, U.S.

Date of Death: August 6, 2018

Place of Death: McLean, Virginia, U.S.

Ethnicity: Basque

Paul Laxalt was an American politician and attorney. A Republican, he served as the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, from January 1, 1963 to January 2, 1967, the 22nd Governor of Nevada, from January 2, 1967 to January 4, 1971, a U.S. Senator from Nevada, from December 18, 1974 to January 3, 1987, and General Chairman of the Republican National Committee, from January 28, 1983 to January 23, 1987.

He was a candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1988.

Paul was the son of Therese (Alpetche) and Dominique Laxalt. His brother was writer Robert Laxalt. His parents were Basque emigrants from the Pyrénées, a range of mountains between France and Spain. His mother was born in Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry.

Paul was married to Carol, until his death. He had six children with his former wife Jackalyn Ross. Jackalyn was the daughter of federal judge John Rolly Ross. Among Paul’s grandchildren is politician Adam Laxalt; Adam was Attorney General of Nevada, from January 5, 2015 to January 7, 2019.

Paul’s paternal grandfather was Pierre Laxalt (the son of Dominique Laxalt and Marianne Irounegaray). Pierre was born in Barcus, Tardets, Soule. Dominique was the son of Pierre Laxalt and Marianne Dibarburu.

Paul’s paternal grandmother was Marie Etchart (the daughter of Jean-Pierre Etchart and Marguerita Erbin). Jean-Pierre was the son of Jacques Etchart and Catherine Olharan.

Paul’s maternal grandfather was named Jean Bassus.

Paul’s maternal grandmother was Jeanne Alpetche Bassus (the daughter of Pierre Alpetche and Marie Elisalecu). Jeanne was born in Guermiette, St. Étienne de Baigorry, Basse-Navarre. Pierre was the son of Pierre Alpetche and Marie Erramoun. Paul’s great-grandmother Marie was the daughter of Martin Elisalecu and Marie Gueçainburu.

Sources: Genealogy of Paul Laxalt (through his sister) – https://gw.geneanet.org

Paul Laxalt on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org