Robert D. Holmes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Denison Holmes (May 11, 1909–June 6, 1976) was an American politician, a Democrat, and the 28th governor of the U.S. state of Oregon, serving from 1957 to 1959.

Holmes was born in Canisteo, New York, moved to Oregon in 1925, and graduated from the University of Oregon in 1932. Prior to entering politics, he was involved in advertising and radio broadcasting, serving as general manager of KAST in Astoria, Oregon.

Holmes was elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1948. His legislative career was marked by successfully fending off legislation he deemed would threaten the state's fisheries, and in the midst of the McCarthy era, going on record against a special loyalty oath for teachers. Additionally, Holmes supported passage of such civil rights legislation as a fair employment law and the outlawing of discrimination in public places.

In 1956, Holmes was elected Governor, to complete the two years remaining on the term of Governor Paul L. Patterson, who had died in office. Holmes defeated Elmo Smith, the Republican state Senate president who had assumed the job after Patterson's death. Holmes was the first Democrat in 22 years to serve as Oregon's governor.

While in office, Holmes sought to make state government more efficient and responsive. He supported public power development, and the abolition of capital punishment. He commuted every death sentence during his governorship.^[1] In 1958, he lost his bid for re-election to Oregon Secretary of State Mark Hatfield, a rising star in the Oregon Republican Party.

Following his governorship, Holmes hosted a television public affairs program, and served on the Oregon Board of Higher Education.

A one-time Christian Scientist, Holmes attended the Episcopal Church. He and the former Marie Hoy were married on May 1, 1934. They had two sons, Robert Jr. and George H. Robert Sr. died on June 6, 1976, in Seaside, Oregon.

[edit] References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008)

v • d • e Governors of Oregon Whiteaker • Gibbs • Woods • Grover • Chadwick • Thayer • Moody • Pennoyer • Lord • Geer • Chamberlain • Benson • Bowerman • West • Withycombe • Olcott • Pierce • I. Patterson • Norblad • Meier • Martin • Sprague • Snell • Hall • McKay • P. Patterson • Smith • Holmes • Hatfield • McCall • Straub • Atiyeh • Goldschmidt • Roberts • Kitzhaber • Kulongoski