Christopher Del Sesto
Encyclopedia
Christopher Del Sesto was a United States politician and a member of the Republican Party
, who served as 64th Governor of Rhode Island. When he became Governor in 1958, Del Sesto was the first Republican chief executive to be chosen by Rhode Island voters in 20 years.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island
, Del Sesto graduated from Boston University
and Georgetown University
Law School, and later he did advanced studies in taxation at New York University
and the University of Miami
, becoming a certified public accountant
and practicing attorney in Providence specializing in taxation and finance. In addition, he also worked as an academic teacher in the both Boston University and Northeastern University in the late 1930s.
Del Sesto first held public office under the Democratic administration of Governor Theodore Francis Green serving as a chief clerk in the office of the general treasurer from 1933 to 1935. In January, 1935, he was named assistant to Thomas P. McCoy of Pawtucket, state budget office. But four months later, Governor Green ousted McCoy and Del Sesto became the budget officer. Later he went to become a special assistant to the U.S. Attorney handling cases associated with milk industry monopolies from 1938 to 1940, director of the Rhode Island Finance Department from 1940 to 1942, and a Director of the state Office of Price Administration
from 1942 to 1945.
Del Sesto was nominated by the Republicans as their candidate for Governor for the first time in 1956. This was a highly disputed race. His Democratic opponent was incumbent Governor Dennis Roberts.
Although Del Sesto won a plurality, he didn't become Governor that year. Known as the long-count, the Rhode Island Supreme Court
had decided to invalidate 5,000 civilian, absentee and shut-in ballots cast prior to election day on the ground that a constitutional amendment required such votes to be cast on, rather than prior to, election day. The Board of Elections had completed its count on December 18, 1956. Del Sesto was the apparent winner by 427 votes. But in a decision released on New Year's Day, the Rhode Island Supreme Court
invalidated 5,000 absentee ballots resulting in Roberts remaining in office by a plurality of 711 votes. The incumbent Governor's brother was on the Court and recused himself from the decision but the Court was not above other doubts as "two of the four judges hearing the case, Chief Justice Edmund W. Flynn and Justice Francis B. Condon, both Democrats, were elected to the Supreme Court" under dubious circumstances "during Rhode Island's infamous 'Bloodless Revolution of 1935'".
However, Del Sesto ran again in 1958 and this time he defeated Roberts by 6,237 votes and served as Governor one single two-year term: from January 6, 1959 to January 3, 1961.
He ran for re-election in 1960, but was defeated by his Lieutenant Governor
, John A. Notte, Jr.
, a Democratic nominee. In 1960, Del Sesto had been a delegate to the Republican National Convention and made one of the speeches seconding the nomination of Vice President Richard M. Nixon.
During his first year in office, Del Sesto set a record by vetoing ninety-eight pieces of legislation passed by a Democratic-controlled state legislature. Also during his administration, an accelerated program of highway construction was implemented, state aid for education to cities and towns was liberalized, and a state scholarship program was established.
After his defeat, he was named in 1966 to the Rhode Island Superior Court
by former Governor, John Chafee
. He held this position until his death.
Del Sesto was also a Rhode Island delegate to the 1960 Republican National Convention
.
He was married to Lola Elda Faraone and had three children. He was a Catholic.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, who served as 64th Governor of Rhode Island. When he became Governor in 1958, Del Sesto was the first Republican chief executive to be chosen by Rhode Island voters in 20 years.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, Del Sesto graduated from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
and Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
Law School, and later he did advanced studies in taxation at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
and the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
, becoming a certified public accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
and practicing attorney in Providence specializing in taxation and finance. In addition, he also worked as an academic teacher in the both Boston University and Northeastern University in the late 1930s.
Del Sesto first held public office under the Democratic administration of Governor Theodore Francis Green serving as a chief clerk in the office of the general treasurer from 1933 to 1935. In January, 1935, he was named assistant to Thomas P. McCoy of Pawtucket, state budget office. But four months later, Governor Green ousted McCoy and Del Sesto became the budget officer. Later he went to become a special assistant to the U.S. Attorney handling cases associated with milk industry monopolies from 1938 to 1940, director of the Rhode Island Finance Department from 1940 to 1942, and a Director of the state Office of Price Administration
Office of Price Administration
The Office of Price Administration was established within the Office for Emergency Management of the United States government by Executive Order 8875 on August 28, 1941. The functions of the OPA was originally to control money and rents after the outbreak of World War II.President Franklin D...
from 1942 to 1945.
Del Sesto was nominated by the Republicans as their candidate for Governor for the first time in 1956. This was a highly disputed race. His Democratic opponent was incumbent Governor Dennis Roberts.
Although Del Sesto won a plurality, he didn't become Governor that year. Known as the long-count, the Rhode Island Supreme Court
Rhode Island Supreme Court
The Rhode Island Supreme Court, founded in 1747, is the court of last resort in the U.S. State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The Court consists of a chief justice and four associate justices. The current Justices of the Rhode Island Supreme Court are:*Chief Justice Paul A...
had decided to invalidate 5,000 civilian, absentee and shut-in ballots cast prior to election day on the ground that a constitutional amendment required such votes to be cast on, rather than prior to, election day. The Board of Elections had completed its count on December 18, 1956. Del Sesto was the apparent winner by 427 votes. But in a decision released on New Year's Day, the Rhode Island Supreme Court
Rhode Island Supreme Court
The Rhode Island Supreme Court, founded in 1747, is the court of last resort in the U.S. State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The Court consists of a chief justice and four associate justices. The current Justices of the Rhode Island Supreme Court are:*Chief Justice Paul A...
invalidated 5,000 absentee ballots resulting in Roberts remaining in office by a plurality of 711 votes. The incumbent Governor's brother was on the Court and recused himself from the decision but the Court was not above other doubts as "two of the four judges hearing the case, Chief Justice Edmund W. Flynn and Justice Francis B. Condon, both Democrats, were elected to the Supreme Court" under dubious circumstances "during Rhode Island's infamous 'Bloodless Revolution of 1935'".
However, Del Sesto ran again in 1958 and this time he defeated Roberts by 6,237 votes and served as Governor one single two-year term: from January 6, 1959 to January 3, 1961.
He ran for re-election in 1960, but was defeated by his Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
, John A. Notte, Jr.
John A. Notte, Jr.
John Anthony Notte, Jr. was an American politician, a Democrat, best known for serving as the 65th Governor of Rhode Island....
, a Democratic nominee. In 1960, Del Sesto had been a delegate to the Republican National Convention and made one of the speeches seconding the nomination of Vice President Richard M. Nixon.
During his first year in office, Del Sesto set a record by vetoing ninety-eight pieces of legislation passed by a Democratic-controlled state legislature. Also during his administration, an accelerated program of highway construction was implemented, state aid for education to cities and towns was liberalized, and a state scholarship program was established.
After his defeat, he was named in 1966 to the Rhode Island Superior Court
Rhode Island Superior Court
The Rhode Island Superior Court is the state trial court of general jurisdiction in Rhode Island.-Jurisdiction:It has original jurisdiction in all felony proceedings, civil matters with an amount in controversy in excess of $10,000, and all matters of equity...
by former Governor, John Chafee
John Chafee
John Lester Hubbard Chafee was an American politician. He served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, as the 66th Governor of Rhode Island, as the Secretary of the Navy, and as a United States Senator.-Early life and family:...
. He held this position until his death.
Del Sesto was also a Rhode Island delegate to the 1960 Republican National Convention
1960 Republican National Convention
The 1960 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held in Chicago, Illinois, from July 25 to July 28, 1960, at the International Amphitheatre....
.
He was married to Lola Elda Faraone and had three children. He was a Catholic.