Russell W. Peterson

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Russell W. Peterson
In office
January 21, 1969 – January 16, 1973
Preceded by Charles L. Terry, Jr.
Succeeded by Sherman W. Tribbitt
Born October 3, 1916 (1916-10-03) (age 91)
Portage, Wisconsin
Political party Republican
Spouse Lillian Turner
June Jenkins
Residence Wilmington, Delaware
Alma mater University of Wisconsin-Madison
Profession scientist
Religion Unitarian

Russell Wilbur "Russ" Peterson (born October 3, 1916) is an American scientist and politician, from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.

Contents

[edit] Early life and family

Peterson was born October 3, 1916 at Portage, Wisconsin, son of Anton & Emma Peterson. He has four children (Glen, Peter, Kristin and Elin) with his first wife, Lillian Turner, who passed away in 1994. He married his second wife, June Jenkins, who also had been recently widowed, in 1995. They are members of the Unitarian Universalist Association. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where in 1942 he also received a Ph.D. in Chemistry.

[edit] Professional career

After graduate school Peterson was recruited by the E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company to work as a research chemist at its Experimental Station in Wilmington. For over 26 years he held prominent jobs in research, manufacturing and sales, and finally in corporate management, becoming an executive.

[edit] Delaware politics

All the while, Peterson had become a well known civic activist from suburban New Castle County. He had been involved in the “New Day for Delaware” attempt at governmental reform in the Boggs administration, and had organized an effort at prison reform known as the “Three-S Citizen’s Campaign,” salvage people, save dollars, and shrink the crime rate. By 1968 Delaware had experienced rioting following the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr., and National Guard troops were still on the streets of Wilmington on the orders of conservative Democratic Governor, Charles L. Terry, Jr. Peterson seemed like he had a fresh, progressive approach for addressing these and other issues, and was drafted by the Republican leaders to run for Governor.

[edit] Governor of Delaware

Accordingly, Peterson was elected Governor of Delaware in 1968, narrowly defeating the incumbent Governor, Charles L. Terry, Jr. His first act was to remove the soldiers from Wilmington. His administration was one that enacted several substantial changes, with perhaps the biggest change being the successful implementation of the old “New Day for Delaware” plan that transformed the organization of state government. Delaware’s executive departments had been run by commissions, appointed by the governor, but with considerable policy independence, and overlapping terms. As a result the governor had control over his departments only through persuasion and the budget. The newly enacted law provided for a cabinet organization, with department leadership provided by persons serving at the pleasure of the Governor. Neither Peterson nor his successor, Sherman W. Tribbitt, was fully able to take advantage of this change, but their successors all made it one of the foundations of the present Delaware state government.

Peterson was also a dedicated environmentalist, and the guiding force behind the Coastal Zone Act of 1972. This act protected Delaware's inland bays and waterways by banning heavy industry from a two-mile-wide strip of Delaware's 115 mile coastline, about 20% of the state. This piece of legislation has since been used by other states to protect their shorelines. During his tenure as governor, Peterson chaired the Education Commission of the States from 1970 to 1971.

These were a breathtaking number of changes for normally conservative Delaware. Meanwhile, in spite of warnings, Peterson seemed to be unaware of growing financial problems for the state. Finally, in June 1971, Peterson admitted he had made revenue miscalculations resulting in a $5 million deficit. The mistake opened the door to opponents of the other changes to unleash a barrage of criticism. As a result, when he sought a second term the next year, he was defeated by the Democratic former Lieutenant Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt. Peterson served one term, from January 21, 1969 until January 16, 1973.


Delaware General Assembly
(sessions while Governor)
Year Assembly Senate Majority President
pro tempore		 House Majority Speaker
1969-1970 125th Republican Reynolds du Pont Republican George C. Herring, III
1971-1972 126th Republican Reynolds du Pont Republican William L. Frederick

[edit] Later career

After leaving office Peterson served as the President of the National Audubon Society. In October 1996, he switched his party affiliation to the Democratic Party, citing the move of the Republicans to the right-wing. The Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, just outside Wilmington, has been named in his honor. In April of 2008, a small ship was rechristened "Russell W. Peterson." The ship, owned by Aqua Survey Inc. was used for the study of migratory bird routes. On May 12, 2008, the "Russell W. Peterson" was destroyed in a storm off the Delaware coast, killing one of its two crew members [1].

[edit] Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four year term.

Public Offices
Office Type Location Elected Term began Term ended notes
Governor Executive Dover 1968 January 21, 1969 January 16, 1973


Election results
Year Office Election Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1968 Governor General Russell W. Peterson Republican 104,474 51% Charles L. Terry, Jr. Democratic 102,360 49%
1972 Governor Primary Russell W. Peterson Republican 23,929 54% David P. Buckson Republican 20,138 46%
1972 Governor General Russell W. Peterson Republican 109,583 49% Sherman W. Tribbitt Democratic 117,274 51%

[edit] References

  • Boyer, William W. (2000). Governing Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 1-892142-23-6. 
  • Cohen, Celia (2002). Only in Delaware, Politics and Politicians in the First State. Newark, Delaware: Grapevine Publishing. 
  • Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6. 
  • Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press. 
  • Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5. 
  • Peterson, Russell W. (1999). Rebel with a conscience. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press, 416 p.. ISBN 0874136814. 
  • Peterson, Russell W. (2003). Patriots, stand up!. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books, 76 p.. ISBN 1892142201. 
  • Sobel, Robert; J. Racino (1988). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789-1978. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-930466-00-4. 

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