Preston Smith (governor)

Preston Earnest Smith ( born March 8, 1912 Williamson County, Texas; † 18 October 2003 in Lubbock, Texas ) was an American politician and 1969-1973 Governor of the State of Texas.

Early years and political rise

Preston Smith attended the Lamesa High School and Texas Technological College, today's Texas Tech University. His business career began with a partner as an operator of a cinema. By the year 1944, they already operated a chain of movie theaters. In addition, Smith had his business to other areas, especially the real estate market expanded. He attained a high level of awareness, especially in the west of the state of Texas.

Smith was a member of the Democratic Party. Between 1945 and 1951 he was a member of the Texas House of Representatives, from 1957 to 1963 he was a member of the State Senate. In 1962 he was elected lieutenant governor of his state. This office he held until 1969. He was deputy governor John Connally. In this time, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was in Dallas.

Governor of Texas

In 1968 Preston Smith was elected as the successor of John Connally for governor of his state. He took up his new post on January 21, 1969, could exercise after a re-election until January 16, 1973. During his tenure, he ran a reform of the education system. Some universities have been founded and upgraded several other educational institutions to universities. Furthermore, additional schools were built for doctors, dentists and lawyers. At that time a program against drug abuse arose. During his tenure, minimum wages were first introduced in Texas. However, there was at this time also scandals in Texas and the United States that have left traces in Texas. At the federal level, the Watergate scandal rocked the American nation. The Vietnam War was highly controversial and the subject of numerous demonstrations. In Texas, there were 1971-1972 the so-called Sharpstown scandal. It was about bribery and fraud in connection with a loan from the financial group led by Frank Sharp, a banker and insurance manager in Houston. In the course of this scandal, some leading politicians of the State of Texas, including the Senate President Gus Mutscher were forced to resign. Although Governor Smith was not directly involved in the scandal, the scandal cost him his planned re-election in 1972.

Further CV

After his governorship Preston Smith returned to Lubbock, where he remained active business. In 1978, he tried unsuccessfully again his party's nomination for the gubernatorial elections to win. Until 1985 he was Chairman of the Education Committee. Preston Smith died in 2003 at the age of 91 years. With his wife, Ima Mae Smith he had two children.