Robert D. Holmes

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.

Robert D. Holmes
28th Governor of Oregon
In office January 14, 1957 – January 12, 1959
Preceded by	Elmo Smith
Succeeded by	Mark Hatfield
Oregon State Senator
In office 1949–1957
Constituency	Clatsop County
Personal details
Born	(1909-05-11)May 11, 1909 Canisteo, New York, U.S.
Died	June 6, 1976(1976-06-06) (aged 67) Seaside, Oregon
Resting place	Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Portland, Oregon
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Marie Hoy Holmes
Alma mater	University of Oregon
Profession	Broadcaster, Politician

Early life

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]

Political career

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 18 years to serve as Oregon's governor, and the first Democrat in 22 years to win an Oregon gubernatorial election.

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]

Later life and family

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]

References

1. "Robert Denison Holmes". Governors of Oregon. Oregon State Library. Archived from the original on 2006-09-23. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
2. "Governor Robert D. Holmes' Administration". Governors. Oregon State Archives. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
3. Clemency. Death Penalty Information Center. Retrieved on 2009-08-03.

External links

• Guide to Holmes Administration - Oregon State Archives

Political offices
Preceded by Elmo Smith	Governor of Oregon 1957–1959	Succeeded by Mark Hatfield
Party political offices
Preceded by Joseph K. Carson	Democratic nominee for Governor of Oregon 1956, 1958	Succeeded by Robert Y. Thornton