| Robert D. Holmes | |
|---|---|
| Gov. Robert D. Holmes | |
| 28th Governor of Oregon | |
| In office 1957–1959 |
|
| Preceded by | Elmo Smith |
| Succeeded by | Mark Hatfield |
| Oregon State Senator | |
| In office 1949–1957 |
|
| Constituency | Clatsop County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 11, 1909 Canisteo, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 6, 1976 (aged 67) Seaside, Oregon |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Marie Hoy Holmes |
| Profession | Broadcaster, Politician |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
Robert Denison Holmes (May 11, 1909 – June 6, 1976) was an American politician and journalist from the U.S. state of Oregon. A native of the state of New York, he worked in newspapers and radio before entering politics. Though a Republican early in his career, he served as a Democrat in the Oregon State Senate and as the 28th Governor of Oregon. He was governor from 1957 to 1959.
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Robert Holmes was born on May 11, 1909, in Canisteo, New York, to a family with five other siblings.[1] His parents were George and Amy Holmes (née Crary), and his father was a stockbroker.[1] Holmes graduated from high school in 1925 from West High School in Rochester, New York.[1] Following his graduation the entire family moved west to Oregon and settled in Portland.[1]
Holmes then worked for several newspapers in Portland for a short time before he enrolled at the University of Oregon in Eugene.[1] He entered in 1928 and graduated in 1932.[1] Following college he returned to the newspaper business, working for the Oregon Journal and The Oregonian, both in Portland.[2] Holmes then moved to Astoria along the Oregon Coast in 1937 where he was involved in advertising and radio broadcasting, serving as general manager of KAST from 1943 to 1957.[1]
Originally a Republican, he began his political career in local politics in Clatsop County.[2] Holmes first served on the school board for Gearhart south of Astoria, and then on the school board for all the rural schools in the county.[2] After becoming a Democrat, Holmes was elected in 1948 to the Oregon State Senate and re-elected in 1952.[2] He was the first Democratic senator from the county in 64 years.[1] 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. He was appointed by Governor Paul L. Patterson as the chair of the Education Committee in 1953.[2]
In 1956, Holmes was elected Governor, to complete the two years remaining on the term of Patterson, who had died in office.[1] Holmes defeated Lew Wallace in the primary and Elmo Smith, the Republican state Senate president who had assumed the job after Patterson's death in the general election.[1] 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.[2] He supported public power development, and the abolition of capital punishment.[1] He commuted every death sentence during his governorship.[3] Holmes also worked to reform education, welfare programs, and also cut taxes by 16%.[2] In 1958, he lost his bid for re-election to Oregon Secretary of State Mark Hatfield, a rising star in the Oregon Republican Party.[2]
He and the former Marie Hoy were married on May 1, 1934, and they had two sons, Robert Jr. and George. Following his governorship, Holmes hosted a television public affairs program on Portland's KOIN, and served on the Oregon Board of Higher Education from 1969 to 1974.[2] From 1961 to 1962, Holmes also was on a commission that hoped to revise the Oregon Constitution.[2] A one-time Christian Scientist, Holmes attended the Episcopal Church. Robert D. Holmes died on June 6, 1976, in Astoria of cancer.[1]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Elmo Smith |
Governor of Oregon 1957–1959 |
Succeeded by Mark Hatfield |
|
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