Joseph C. Shell

Joseph Claude Shell Sr. (September 7, 1918 – April 7, 2008) was a Republican politician from California who served in the California State Assembly from 1953 to 1963 from the 58th district. He later served on the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board. In 1962 he was a failed primary candidate for Governor of California, where he ran to the right of then former Vice President Richard Nixon.^[1]

Joseph C. Shell
Shell c. 1961
Minority Leader of the California Assembly
In office 1959–1963
Preceded by	William A. Munnell
Succeeded by	Charles J. Conrad
Member of the California State Assembly from the 58th district
In office December 2, 1953 – January 7, 1963
Preceded by	Laughlin Edward Waters Sr.
Succeeded by	Harvey Johnson
Personal details
Born	Joseph Claude Shell (1918-09-07)September 7, 1918 La Conner, Washington, U.S.
Died	April 7, 2008(2008-04-07) (aged 89) Bakersfield, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Barbara Morton (m. 1940 - div. 1968), Mary K. Shell (m. 1970)
Children	4
Education	University of Southern California (B.S.)
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy
Battles/wars	World War II
First Gentleman of Bakersfield
In office January 6, 1981 – January 1, 1985
Mayor	Mary K. Shell
Preceded by	Margaret Hart (as first lady)
Succeeded by	Rosa Payne (as first lady)

Shell attended the University of Southern California, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was captain of the 1939 USC football team which won the Rose Bowl that year. He then served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.^[1]

His second wife was Mary K. Shell, a former member of the Kern County Board of Supervisors and the first female Mayor of Bakersfield.^[2]