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.

[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.

Cenarrusa did not run for reelection in 2002, instead supporting his longtime chief deputy, Ben Ysursa.

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