Paul Francis Cantwell was an American politician, active in Indianapolis, who served as a Democratic member of the Indiana House of Representatives and was the father of Maria Cantwell.
He was born on September 15, 1927, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
Paul’s mother was active in Indianapolis politics. He began working in politics as a political volunteer at the age of fifteen.
Paul served in the United States Navy during World War II. He took classes at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, University of Indianapolis, and Butler University.
Paul began his career as a masonry contractor and became an advocate for trade unions.
In 1965, he was hired to work as an administrative assistant for Congressman Andrew Jacobs Jr. in Washington, D.C.
Beginning in 1966, Paul served as a Marion County commissioner. During part of his tenure as a commissioner, he was the president of the Marion County Board of Commissioners.
In 1997, Cantwell died of laryngeal cancer at the age of 69.