John F. Simms

John Field Simms ( born December 18, 1916 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, † April 11, 1975 ) was an American politician and from 1955 to 1957 the 16th Governor of the State of New Mexico.

Early years and political rise

John Simms visited until 1937, the New Mexico Military Institute, the part which is University of New Mexico. Then he studied until 1940 at Yale University law. During the Second World War, he rose in the U.S. Army from simple soldiers to up to lieutenant colonel. After the war he worked as a lawyer. He also became involved in animal husbandry.

Between 1947 and 1949 Simms was a deputy in the House of Representatives from New Mexico. There he served as Speaker of the House. Between 1950 and 1954 he was in a commission for the revision of state laws. On November 2, 1954, he was elected as a candidate of the Democratic Party as the new governor of his state, where he prevailed with 57:43 percent of the vote against the Republican Alvin Stockton.

Governor of New Mexico

Simms began his two-year term on 1 January 1955 as the successor to Edwin L. Mechem. During his reign, industrial production was promoted in New Mexico. At that time, many jobs have been created in this State by the federal authorities. Nevertheless, it did not make Simms to be confirmed in 1956. So he had to give up his post on 1 January 1957 to his predecessor Edwin Mechem.

After the end of his governorship to Simms withdrew from politics. He devoted himself to further his business interests and worked primarily as a lawyer and ranchers. John Simms died in April 1975. He was married to Ruth Reynolds, with whom he had six children.