John S. McKiernan
| John Sammon McKiernan | |
|---|---|
| 62nd Governor of Rhode Island | |
| In office December 19, 1950 – January 2, 1951 | |
| Lieutenant | Vacant |
| Preceded by | John O. Pastore |
| Succeeded by | Dennis J. Roberts |
| Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island | |
| In office 1947 – 1950 1951–1956 | |
| Governor | John O. Pastore (1st time) Dennis J. Roberts (2nd time) |
| Preceded by | John O. Pastore (1st time) None – himself before vacant |
| Succeeded by | Vacant Armand H. Cote (2nd time) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 15, 1911 Providence, Rhode Island |
| Died | March 9, 1997 (aged 85) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth St. Pierre |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
John Sammon McKiernan (October 15, 1911 – March 9, 1997) was the United States Democratic politician, who served as the Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island from 1947–1950 and 1951–1956 and briefly the 62nd Governor of Rhode Island (1950–1951).
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, McKiernan graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1934 and from Boston University School of Law in1937. After this, he went on to run his own law practice. and serve as legal advisor to the Providence Civil Service Commission as well as chairman of the Providence Fair Rents Committee in 1941.
In 1942 and 1943 he served as the first Assistant City Solicitor for Providence. After a break caused by his service in the US Navy be retook this post.
He was elected the Lieutenant Governor in 1946 and remained so until 1950. His Governor at the time was John O. Pastore, a fellow Democrat.
As Lieutenant Governor and presiding officer of the state Senate in 1949, McKiernan cast the tie-breaking vote that resulted in the adoption of new rules effectively giving Democrats control of the Senate’s legislative committees for the first time in more than decade.
After Pastore left office earlier in order to became a United States Senator, McKiernan became Governor and served from December 19, 1950 to January 2, 1951. He didn't seek election for Governor and became Lieutenant Governor again under administration of another Democrat, Dennis J. Roberts.
He resigned as Lieutenant Governor in 1956 to accept appointment as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court.
A Roman Catholic, he was married to Elizabeth St. Pierre.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by vacant |
Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island 1947–1950 |
Succeeded by vacant |
| Preceded by vacant |
Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island 1951–1956 |
Succeeded by Armand H. Cote |
| Preceded by John O. Pastore |
Governor of Rhode Island 1950–1951 |
Succeeded by Dennis J. Roberts |
