Bruce King

Bruce King ( born April 6, 1924 in Stanley, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, † November 13, 2009 ) was an American politician. King was several times ( 1971-1975, 1979-1983, 1991-1995 ) Governor of the State of New Mexico.

Life

King served during WWII in the U.S. Army. After the war he studied at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. His political career began in 1954 with the election to the Board of County Commissioners of Santa Fe County. In his second term he was chairman of this highest political body at the district level. 1959 King was elected to the House of Representatives from New Mexico. He belonged to the chamber at five periods of office long, in three of them he was the Speaker. From 1968 to 1969 he was chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. In 1969 he was also President of the Constitutional Convention for that State.

Finally he succeeded in 1970, being elected Governor of New Mexico, where he defeated the Republican Pete Domenici. Since the former Constitution of the State did not allow a direct re-election, ended Kings first term 1975. 1979 he was again elected for four years, in 1991 for the third time. After a constitutional amendment, it would then have been possible for him to be re-elected, but he was defeated by Republican Gary E. Johnson.

Criticism was made at Kings behavior in connection with a revolt in the state prison of New Mexico in February 1980. The author Roger Morris accused him in a book publication of complicity in the deaths of 33 inmates; to the extreme outbreak of violence had occurred primarily because while Kings reign of corruption and brutality were tolerated.

Bruce King has two children with his wife, Alice King. His son Gary since 2007, Attorney General of New Mexico.