He served continuously for over half a century in elective office, first as a member of the Idaho Legislature and then as Secretary of State.

[5] Cenarrusa graduated from the territorial school in Bellevue, and attended the University of Idaho in Moscow.

[6] He graduated with a bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1940 and coached and taught math and science in Carey, Cambridge, and Glenns Ferry.

[8] In 1967, Cenarrusa was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Don Samuelson to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Edson H. Deal,[9] and took office on May 1.

Senator from Idaho, Frank Church, in an effort to curtail foreign aid to the Franco regime.