Wesley Powell

Wesley Powell ( born October 13, 1915 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; † 6 January 1981) was an American politician and 1959-1963 Governor of the State of New Hampshire.

Early years and political rise

Wesley Powell attended the University of New Hampshire and went on to study law at Southern Methodist until 1940 College. During the Second World War he was with the Bomber Command of the Air Force in Europe. He was wounded. Later he was awarded for his military deployment.

Powell was a member of the Republican Party. Between 1940 and 1949 he was, with the exception of his time in the military, Secretary of Styles Bridges, who represented New Hampshire at this time in the U.S. Senate. Since 1950, Powell worked as a lawyer in Manchester and Hampton Falls. Also in 1950, failed his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. In 1956 he was defeated in the primaries for the gubernatorial election against Lane Dwinell. In 1958, however, he finally managed to get elected as the new governor of his state.

Governor of New Hampshire

Wesley Powell began his new role on 1 January 1959. After a re-election in 1960, he could serve until January 3, 1963. During this time, some government departments have been merged for reasons of economy and thus made ​​reform of the administration. On the other hand, the governor resisted efforts by tax increases. He promoted the further expansion of highways and tourism. In 1962 he failed in the Republican primaries. During the actual election, he supported the then Democrat John W. King on condition that this could consist Powell's reforms in the administration. So it was then, and Powell's administrative reform is still valid today.

Another Journey

After the end of his governorship to Powell withdrew from politics. But he remained active as a lawyer and he earned a weekly newspaper, which he edited. Wesley Powell died in January 1981. Together with his wife Beverly Swain he had five children.