Texas Rangers Hunted Alaska Politician Over Missed Citizenship Form

Former Anchorage Mayor Z.J. Loussac forgot to fill out a key document before running for the Territorial House of Representatives in 1952.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In 1952, former Anchorage Mayor Z.J. Loussac ran for a seat in the Territorial House of Representatives, but he forgot to fill out a citizenship document before leaving on a four-month vacation. When the oversight was discovered, the Texas Rangers were dispatched to find Loussac and get him to complete the form, leading to a mild-mannered manhunt that made headlines across Alaska and Texas.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the strict enforcement of residency requirements for political candidates in Alaska at the time, even for well-known figures like Loussac who had lived in the territory for decades. It also shows the lengths authorities would go to ensure candidates met all legal requirements, even if it meant involving law enforcement agencies from other states.

The details

Loussac, who had been mayor of Anchorage from 1948 to 1951, filed to run for the Territorial House of Representatives in early 1952. However, before the election, he left on a lengthy vacation across the Lower 48 and Caribbean, forgetting to sign an affidavit stating he had been a citizen of the territory for at least a year. When this oversight was discovered, his allies in Alaska tried to track him down, eventually informing the Alaska Highway Patrol, who then alerted the Texas Rangers to be on the lookout for Loussac and his wife driving a 1948 black Cadillac with Alaska license plates.

  • In early 1952, Loussac filed for the Territorial House of Representatives.
  • Loussac left on a roughly four-month vacation, crossing the Lower 48 and visiting the Caribbean.
  • In March 1952, the Texas Rangers were alerted to be on the lookout for Loussac and his wife.
  • On March 6, 1952, Loussac called home from a hospital where he was recovering from a minor operation.
  • Loussac was able to clear the outstanding issues and remain on the October 1952 ballot.

The players

Z.J. Loussac

A former three-term mayor of Anchorage who ran for the Territorial House of Representatives in 1952 but forgot to fill out a required citizenship document before leaving on a lengthy vacation.

Herb Hilscher

Loussac's part-time campaign publicist who spoke about the citizenship document issue.

Bob Atwood

The publisher of the Anchorage Daily Times who wrote about Loussac's generosity in establishing the Loussac Foundation.

Texas Rangers

The law enforcement agency from Texas that was dispatched to find Loussac and get him to complete the required citizenship document.

Alaska Highway Patrol

The predecessor to the Alaska State Troopers, who informed the Texas Rangers that Loussac was headed to Texas.

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What they’re saying

“We all know Loussac has lived in Alaska 45 years, but candidates for the legislature must sign such a statement if they are to qualify for the elections.”

— Herb Hilscher, Loussac's part-time campaign publicist (Anchorage Daily Times)

“And the first thing Loussac is likely to know about all this will come with the blast of sirens as the Texas Rangers, with their broad-brimmed campaign hats and loaded automatic rifles strapped to the steering wheel of their black Ford Sedan, roll up beside him.”

— Anchorage Daily Times (Anchorage Daily Times)

“But for his generosity he would have had the wherewithal to build the finest castle in all of Alaska. Instead, he voluntarily continues to live in a modest apartment while his money is available for the use of the community to build a library.”

— Bob Atwood, Publisher, Anchorage Daily Times (Anchorage Daily Times)

What’s next

Loussac was able to clear the outstanding issues and remain on the October 1952 ballot, though he finished well out of contention in the election.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the strict enforcement of residency requirements for political candidates in Alaska in the 1950s, even for well-established figures like former Anchorage mayor Z.J. Loussac. It also shows the lengths authorities would go to ensure candidates met all legal requirements, even involving law enforcement agencies from other states in a mild-mannered manhunt.