Robert A. Hurley

Robert Augustine Hurley ( born August 25, 1895 in Bridgeport, Connecticut; † May 3, 1968 in West Hartford, Connecticut ) was an American politician and governor of the U.S. state of Connecticut. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early years and political rise

Hurley attended the public schools in Connecticut and Lehigh University. Subsequently, he served 1917-1919 in a U- boat fleet, and on a battleship of the Pennsylvania class as a radio operator for the U.S. Navy. Hurley was founded in 1935 appointed by Governor Wilbur L. Cross Director of the Works Projects Administration. He was then in 1937 Public Works Commissioner, a position which he held until 1940, and in which he oversaw a multi- million dollar building program.

Governor of Connecticut

Hurley won the 1940 Governor Democratic nomination and was elected governor of Connecticut a short time later. During his tenure he supported the war effort and established numerous places on the State Defense Council. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he intensified his efforts even more time. Hurley advocated the establishment of a rural electrification program, the establishment of a government employer-employee relationship authority, the change in unemployment and worker laws and the provision of state aid for dependent children. He stood again for re-election and failed. Then he left his office on January 6, 1943.

Further CV

In 1944 he was a member of the State Surplus Property Board, and remained so until 1945, when he retired from public service.

Robert A. Hurley died on 3 May 1968 and subsequently buried at the Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford. He was married to Evelyn Hedberg. The couple had three children together.