Robert D. Holmes

Robert Denison Holmes (May 11, 1909 in Canisteo, Steuben County, New York, † June 6, 1976 in Seaside, Oregon ) was an American politician of the Democratic Party and from 1957 to 1959 the 28th Governor of the State of Oregon.

Early years and political rise

Robert Holmes attended the local schools of his home. After moving to Oregon, he worked for a short time in the newspaper business. Then he studied until 1932 at the University of Oregon. Holmes settled in Clatsop County, where he went into the radio and advertising business. Between 1943 and 1957 he was a manager of a radio station called " KAST ". During the 1940s he was also a member of the school board in his home district.

Originally Holmes was a member of the Republican Party. He moved early on to the Democrats, for which he was elected in 1948 to the Senate of Oregon. In the Senate, he advocated for the improvement of educational policy in Oregon. He was more liberal set against the conservative trend of the day and spoke out against a loyalty oath for teachers. He was also against discrimination and fair working conditions. In 1956, he won the Democratic primary to internal candidacy for Governor after the incumbent Paul L. Patterson had died. In the election he hit Elmo Smith, the President of the Senate, who had led the post until the election of an interim basis.

Governor of Oregon

Robert Holmes took up his new post on January 14, 1957. During his time as governor, he tried to make Oregon government more efficient and closer to its citizens. He supported the expansion of state-owned power and was opposed to the death penalty. In contrast to his predecessors Holmes went back to the reserves of the State in order to achieve educational and social policy objectives. In 1958, he lost the regular upcoming gubernatorial election against Mark Hatfield, a Republican. He resigned on January 12, 1959 from his office.

After his political career he directed a television show and was a member of the University Planning Authority of the State of Oregon. He died in 1976. Robert Holmes was married to Marie Hoy, with whom he had two children.