George M. Leader

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George M. Leader (born January 17, 1918) was the governor of Pennsylvania from January 18, 1955 until January 20, 1959. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and a native of York County, Pennsylvania. Currently he is the only person from that county ever to be elected governor of the state.

George Leader was the third child of Guy and Beulah Leader. He grew up on their York County poultry farm, and was educated in a one-room schoolhouse. He later graduated from York High School, then obtained an undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College. He did graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania, with a focus on philosophy, economics, and political science. In 1939, he married Mary Jane Strickler, and during World War II he served on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater.^[1]

Following World War II, Leader began a family operated chicken hatchery, and served in leadership positions in the York County Democratic Party. He successfully ran for State Senate in 1950, and, in 1952, he ran for State Treasurer of Pennsylvania. Despite narrowly losing that race, he managed to build name recognition for himself that would be useful for any future run for state-wide office.^[1]

Leader utilized this name recognition to run for governor in 1954. The Republicans had a large edge in voter registration in Pennsylvania at this time, and no Democrat had been elected governor since 1934. Despite these disadvantages, Leader picked up substantial support from labor and agricultural interests, and managed to defeat Lt. Governor Lloyd Wood, the Republican nominee, by 280,000 votes. Sworn in on January 18, 1955, he was the second youngest person ever to be elected to the post.^[1]

During his administration, Leader initiated programs to deal with Pennsylvania's lackluster economy and its substantial budget deficit. He also increased funding to education, engaged in a highly publicized campaign to reform Pennsylvania's state mental hospitals, and carved out a role for the state in protecting the civil rights of African-Americans and other minorities.^[1]

Leader was unable to run for re-election in 1958, due to the fact that the Pennsylvania Constitution that was in place at that time term limited governors to a single four-year term. Instead, he opted to run that year for a seat in the United States Senate, a race which he lost to Republican Congressman Hugh Scott.^[1]

Although Leader never again sought elected office following his 1958 defeat, he stayed active in Democratic politics and has spoken out on a number of issues. He and his family established Country Meadows^[2] and Providence Place Retirement ^[3] Communities in the 1980s and 90s, and he currently resides in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.^[1] Leader still activity operates the non-profit Providence Place Retirement Communities, while his family operates Country Meadows facilities. Country Meadows CEO is Leader's son G. Michael Leader, COO is son David Leader, and CFO is son-in-law Ted Janeczek.

On the death of former Delaware governor Elbert N. Carvel in 2005, Leader became the earliest serving U.S. governor of any state still living.

[edit] Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission website
^ http://www.countrymeadows.com
^ http://www.providence-place.com/

Preceded by John Sydney Fine	Governor of Pennsylvania 1955–1959	Succeeded by David L. Lawrence
Preceded by Elbert N. Carvel	Earliest serving US governor 2005-	Succeeded by Current incumbent