Walter R. Peterson, Jr.

Walter Rutherford Peterson, Jr. ( born September 19, 1922 in Nashua, New Hampshire, † June 2, 2011 in Lebanon ) was an American politician. He was from 1969 to 1973 Governor of the State of New Hampshire.

Early years and political rise

Walter Peterson attended until 1947 Dartmouth College. In addition, he also studied at the College of William and Mary and the University of New Hampshire. His studies were interrupted by World War II. In this war he was a reserve officer in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. In 1947 he became part -owner of the family-owned real estate company belonging "The Petersons, Inc".

Peterson was a member of the Republican Party. Between 1957 and 1963 he was in the budget committee of the city of Peterborough. From 1963 to 1968 he was a member of the House of Representatives from New Hampshire. In the first two years he was there faction leaders of the republican deputies and since 1965 he was president of the house. In 1968 he was elected governor of his state.

Governor of New Hampshire

Peterson took up his new post on January 2, 1969. After a re-election in 1970, he could officiate as governor until January 4, 1973. As such, he took care of all about the budget. Back then there was a big boom in New Hampshire. This led to an increase in the cost of infrastructure and thus to greater expenditure. For this reason, the governor tried to counteract this development by increasing the revenues. Among other things, the sales tax was increased. At the same time an attempt was made to save money in the administration. At the end of his reign had managed even to generate a budget surplus Peterson.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship Peterson was 20 years as president of Franklin Pierce College in Rindge. After that, he was still involved in the real estate company of his family. Walter Peterson was married to Dorothy Donovan, with whom he had two children.