Robert D. Holmes
Encyclopedia
Robert Denison Holmes was an American politician
and journalist from the U.S. state
of Oregon
. A native of the state of New York
, he worked in newspapers and radio before entering politics. Though a Republican
early in his career, he served as a Democrat
in the Oregon State Senate
and as the 28th Governor of Oregon
. He was governor from 1957 to 1959.
, New York
, to a family with five other siblings. His parents were George and Amy Holmes (née Crary), and his father was a stockbroker. Holmes graduated from high school in 1925 from West High School
in Rochester, New York
. Following his graduation the entire family moved west to Oregon and settled in Portland
.
Holmes then worked for several newspapers in Portland for a short time before he enrolled at the University of Oregon
in Eugene
. He entered in 1928 and graduated in 1932. Following college he returned to the newspaper business, working for the Oregon Journal
and The Oregonian
, both in Portland. Holmes then moved to Astoria
along the Oregon Coast
in 1937 where he was involved in advertising and radio broadcasting, serving as general manager of KAST
from 1943 to 1957.
. Holmes first served on the school board for Gearhart
south of Astoria, and then on the school board for all the rural schools in the county. After becoming a Democrat, Holmes was elected in 1948 to the Oregon State Senate
and re-elected in 1952. He was the first Democratic senator from the county in 64 years. His legislative career was marked by successfully fending off legislation he deemed would threaten the state's fisheries, and in the midst of the McCarthy era
, going on record against a special loyalty oath for teachers. Additionally, Holmes supported passage of such civil rights legislation as a fair employment law and the outlawing of discrimination in public places. He was appointed by Governor Paul L. Patterson
as the chair of the Education Committee in 1953.
In 1956, Holmes was elected Governor, to complete the two years remaining on the term of Patterson, who had died in office. Holmes defeated Lew Wallace in the primary and Elmo Smith
, the Republican state Senate president who had assumed the job after Patterson's death in the general election. Holmes was the first Democrat in 22 years to serve as Oregon's governor.
While in office, Holmes sought to make state government more efficient and responsive. He supported public power development, and the abolition of capital punishment. He commuted every death sentence during his governorship. Holmes also worked to reform education, welfare programs, and also cut taxes by 16%. In 1958, he lost his bid for re-election to Oregon Secretary of State
Mark Hatfield
, a rising star in the Oregon Republican Party
.
, and served on the Oregon Board of Higher Education from 1969 to 1974. From 1961 to 1962, Holmes also was on a commission that hoped to revise the Oregon Constitution
. A one-time Christian Scientist
, Holmes attended the Episcopal Church. Robert D. Holmes died on June 6, 1976, in Astoria of cancer.
Robert Denison Holmes (May 11, 1909 – June 6, 1976) was an American politician
and journalist from the U.S. state
of Oregon
. A native of the state of New York
, he worked in newspapers and radio before entering politics. Though a Republican
early in his career, he served as a Democrat
in the Oregon State Senate
and as the 28th Governor of Oregon
. He was governor from 1957 to 1959.
, New York
, to a family with five other siblings. His parents were George and Amy Holmes (née Crary), and his father was a stockbroker. Holmes graduated from high school in 1925 from West High School
in Rochester, New York
. Following his graduation the entire family moved west to Oregon and settled in Portland
.
Holmes then worked for several newspapers in Portland for a short time before he enrolled at the University of Oregon
in Eugene
. He entered in 1928 and graduated in 1932. Following college he returned to the newspaper business, working for the Oregon Journal
and The Oregonian
, both in Portland. Holmes then moved to Astoria
along the Oregon Coast
in 1937 where he was involved in advertising and radio broadcasting, serving as general manager of KAST
from 1943 to 1957.
. Holmes first served on the school board for Gearhart
south of Astoria, and then on the school board for all the rural schools in the county. After becoming a Democrat, Holmes was elected in 1948 to the Oregon State Senate
and re-elected in 1952. He was the first Democratic senator from the county in 64 years. His legislative career was marked by successfully fending off legislation he deemed would threaten the state's fisheries, and in the midst of the McCarthy era
, going on record against a special loyalty oath for teachers. Additionally, Holmes supported passage of such civil rights legislation as a fair employment law and the outlawing of discrimination in public places. He was appointed by Governor Paul L. Patterson
as the chair of the Education Committee in 1953.
In 1956, Holmes was elected Governor, to complete the two years remaining on the term of Patterson, who had died in office. Holmes defeated Lew Wallace in the primary and Elmo Smith
, the Republican state Senate president who had assumed the job after Patterson's death in the general election. Holmes was the first Democrat in 22 years to serve as Oregon's governor.
While in office, Holmes sought to make state government more efficient and responsive. He supported public power development, and the abolition of capital punishment. He commuted every death sentence during his governorship. Holmes also worked to reform education, welfare programs, and also cut taxes by 16%. In 1958, he lost his bid for re-election to Oregon Secretary of State
Mark Hatfield
, a rising star in the Oregon Republican Party
.
, and served on the Oregon Board of Higher Education from 1969 to 1974. From 1961 to 1962, Holmes also was on a commission that hoped to revise the Oregon Constitution
. A one-time Christian Scientist
, Holmes attended the Episcopal Church. Robert D. Holmes died on June 6, 1976, in Astoria of cancer.
Robert Denison Holmes (May 11, 1909 – June 6, 1976) was an American politician
and journalist from the U.S. state
of Oregon
. A native of the state of New York
, he worked in newspapers and radio before entering politics. Though a Republican
early in his career, he served as a Democrat
in the Oregon State Senate
and as the 28th Governor of Oregon
. He was governor from 1957 to 1959.
, New York
, to a family with five other siblings. His parents were George and Amy Holmes (née Crary), and his father was a stockbroker. Holmes graduated from high school in 1925 from West High School
in Rochester, New York
. Following his graduation the entire family moved west to Oregon and settled in Portland
.
Holmes then worked for several newspapers in Portland for a short time before he enrolled at the University of Oregon
in Eugene
. He entered in 1928 and graduated in 1932. Following college he returned to the newspaper business, working for the Oregon Journal
and The Oregonian
, both in Portland. Holmes then moved to Astoria
along the Oregon Coast
in 1937 where he was involved in advertising and radio broadcasting, serving as general manager of KAST
from 1943 to 1957.
. Holmes first served on the school board for Gearhart
south of Astoria, and then on the school board for all the rural schools in the county. After becoming a Democrat, Holmes was elected in 1948 to the Oregon State Senate
and re-elected in 1952. He was the first Democratic senator from the county in 64 years. His legislative career was marked by successfully fending off legislation he deemed would threaten the state's fisheries, and in the midst of the McCarthy era
, going on record against a special loyalty oath for teachers. Additionally, Holmes supported passage of such civil rights legislation as a fair employment law and the outlawing of discrimination in public places. He was appointed by Governor Paul L. Patterson
as the chair of the Education Committee in 1953.
In 1956, Holmes was elected Governor, to complete the two years remaining on the term of Patterson, who had died in office. Holmes defeated Lew Wallace in the primary and Elmo Smith
, the Republican state Senate president who had assumed the job after Patterson's death in the general election. Holmes was the first Democrat in 22 years to serve as Oregon's governor.
While in office, Holmes sought to make state government more efficient and responsive. He supported public power development, and the abolition of capital punishment. He commuted every death sentence during his governorship. Holmes also worked to reform education, welfare programs, and also cut taxes by 16%. In 1958, he lost his bid for re-election to Oregon Secretary of State
Mark Hatfield
, a rising star in the Oregon Republican Party
.
, and served on the Oregon Board of Higher Education from 1969 to 1974. From 1961 to 1962, Holmes also was on a commission that hoped to revise the Oregon Constitution
. A one-time Christian Scientist
, Holmes attended the Episcopal Church. Robert D. Holmes died on June 6, 1976, in Astoria of cancer.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and journalist from the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A native of the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, he worked in newspapers and radio before entering politics. Though a Republican
Oregon Republican Party
The Oregon Republican Party is the state affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Oregon, headquartered in Lake Oswego. The first state party convention was held in Salem on April 21, 1859, and its first nominee for Congress, Portland attorney David Logan...
early in his career, he served as a Democrat
Democratic Party of Oregon
The Democratic Party of Oregon, based in Portland, is the official Oregon affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. It is recognized by the state of Oregon as a major political party, along with the Oregon Republican Party...
in the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
and as the 28th Governor of Oregon
Governor of Oregon
The Governor of Oregon is the top executive of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The title of governor was also applied to the office of Oregon's chief executive during the provisional and U.S. territorial governments....
. He was governor from 1957 to 1959.
Early life
Robert Holmes was born on May 11, 1909, in CanisteoCanisteo (town), New York
Canisteo is a town in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 4,005 at the 2007 census. The name is from the name of a native village located here....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, to a family with five other siblings. His parents were George and Amy Holmes (née Crary), and his father was a stockbroker. Holmes graduated from high school in 1925 from West High School
Wilson Magnet High School
Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School, sometimes referred to as Wilson Magnet or just Wilson, is a public high school in Rochester, New York. It is in the Rochester City School District.-History:...
in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. Following his graduation the entire family moved west to Oregon and settled in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
.
Holmes then worked for several newspapers in Portland for a short time before he enrolled at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
. He entered in 1928 and graduated in 1932. Following college he returned to the newspaper business, working for the Oregon Journal
Oregon Journal
The Oregon Journal was Portland, Oregon's daily afternoon newspaper from 1902 to 1982. The Journal was founded in Portland by C. S. Jackson, the publisher of Pendleton, Oregon's East Oregonian newspaper, after a group of Portlanders convinced Jackson to help in the reorganization of the Portland...
and The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
, both in Portland. Holmes then moved to Astoria
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811...
along the Oregon Coast
Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon. It runs generally north-south along the Pacific Ocean, forming the western border of the state; the region is bounded to the east by the Oregon Coast Range. The Oregon Coast stretches approximately from the Columbia River in the north to...
in 1937 where he was involved in advertising and radio broadcasting, serving as general manager of KAST
KAST (AM)
KAST is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Astoria, Oregon. The station is owned by New Northwest Broadcasters, LLC of Seattle, Washington, which is wholly owned by , a private equity firm also located in Seattle....
from 1943 to 1957.
Political career
Originally a Republican, he began his political career in local politics in Clatsop CountyClatsop County, Oregon
Clatsop County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for the Clatsop tribe of Native Americans, who lived along the coast of the Pacific Ocean prior to European settlement. As of 2010, the population was 37,039. The county seat is Astoria.-Economy:The principal...
. Holmes first served on the school board for Gearhart
Gearhart, Oregon
Gearhart is a city in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. The population was 995 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 1,185 residents.- Geography :...
south of Astoria, and then on the school board for all the rural schools in the county. After becoming a Democrat, Holmes was elected in 1948 to the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
and re-elected in 1952. He was the first Democratic senator from the county in 64 years. His legislative career was marked by successfully fending off legislation he deemed would threaten the state's fisheries, and in the midst of the McCarthy era
McCarthyism
McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. The term has its origins in the period in the United States known as the Second Red Scare, lasting roughly from the late 1940s to the late 1950s and characterized by...
, going on record against a special loyalty oath for teachers. Additionally, Holmes supported passage of such civil rights legislation as a fair employment law and the outlawing of discrimination in public places. He was appointed by Governor Paul L. Patterson
Paul L. Patterson
Paul Linton Patterson was an American Republican politician. He served as President of the Oregon State Senate and the 26th Governor of Oregon .-Early life:...
as the chair of the Education Committee in 1953.
In 1956, Holmes was elected Governor, to complete the two years remaining on the term of Patterson, who had died in office. Holmes defeated Lew Wallace in the primary and Elmo Smith
Elmo Smith
Elmo Everett Smith was an American politician, a Republican, and the 27th Governor of the state of Oregon, U.S., from 1956 to 1957.-Early life:...
, the Republican state Senate president who had assumed the job after Patterson's death in the general election. Holmes was the first Democrat in 22 years to serve as Oregon's governor.
While in office, Holmes sought to make state government more efficient and responsive. He supported public power development, and the abolition of capital punishment. He commuted every death sentence during his governorship. Holmes also worked to reform education, welfare programs, and also cut taxes by 16%. In 1958, he lost his bid for re-election to Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon Secretary of State
The Secretary of State of Oregon, an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Oregon, is first in line of succession to the Governor. The duties of office are: auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and administrator of public...
Mark Hatfield
Mark Hatfield
Mark Odom Hatfield was an American politician and educator from the state of Oregon. A Republican, he served for 30 years as a United States Senator from Oregon, and also as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee...
, a rising star in the Oregon Republican Party
Oregon Republican Party
The Oregon Republican Party is the state affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Oregon, headquartered in Lake Oswego. The first state party convention was held in Salem on April 21, 1859, and its first nominee for Congress, Portland attorney David Logan...
.
Later life and family
He and the former Marie Hoy were married on May 1, 1934, and they had two sons, Robert Jr. and George. Following his governorship, Holmes hosted a television public affairs program on Portland's KOINKOIN
KOIN is the CBS affiliate television station serving the Portland metropolitan area. Its transmitter is located in Portland, Oregon, United States; it broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 40...
, and served on the Oregon Board of Higher Education from 1969 to 1974. From 1961 to 1962, Holmes also was on a commission that hoped to revise the Oregon Constitution
Oregon Constitution
The Oregon Constitution is the governing document of the U.S. state of Oregon, originally enacted in 1857. As amended the current state constitution contains eighteen sections, beginning with a bill of rights. This contains most of the rights and privileges granted in the United States Bill of...
. A one-time Christian Scientist
Church of Christ, Scientist
The Church of Christ, Scientist was founded in 1879 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, by Mary Baker Eddy. She was the author of the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Christian Science teaches that the "allness" of God denies the reality of sin, sickness, death, and the material world...
, Holmes attended the Episcopal Church. Robert D. Holmes died on June 6, 1976, in Astoria of cancer.
External links
- Guide to Holmes Administration - Oregon State Archives
Robert Denison Holmes (May 11, 1909 – June 6, 1976) was an American politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and journalist from the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A native of the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, he worked in newspapers and radio before entering politics. Though a Republican
Oregon Republican Party
The Oregon Republican Party is the state affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Oregon, headquartered in Lake Oswego. The first state party convention was held in Salem on April 21, 1859, and its first nominee for Congress, Portland attorney David Logan...
early in his career, he served as a Democrat
Democratic Party of Oregon
The Democratic Party of Oregon, based in Portland, is the official Oregon affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. It is recognized by the state of Oregon as a major political party, along with the Oregon Republican Party...
in the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
and as the 28th Governor of Oregon
Governor of Oregon
The Governor of Oregon is the top executive of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The title of governor was also applied to the office of Oregon's chief executive during the provisional and U.S. territorial governments....
. He was governor from 1957 to 1959.
Early life
Robert Holmes was born on May 11, 1909, in CanisteoCanisteo (town), New York
Canisteo is a town in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 4,005 at the 2007 census. The name is from the name of a native village located here....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, to a family with five other siblings. His parents were George and Amy Holmes (née Crary), and his father was a stockbroker. Holmes graduated from high school in 1925 from West High School
Wilson Magnet High School
Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School, sometimes referred to as Wilson Magnet or just Wilson, is a public high school in Rochester, New York. It is in the Rochester City School District.-History:...
in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. Following his graduation the entire family moved west to Oregon and settled in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
.
Holmes then worked for several newspapers in Portland for a short time before he enrolled at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
. He entered in 1928 and graduated in 1932. Following college he returned to the newspaper business, working for the Oregon Journal
Oregon Journal
The Oregon Journal was Portland, Oregon's daily afternoon newspaper from 1902 to 1982. The Journal was founded in Portland by C. S. Jackson, the publisher of Pendleton, Oregon's East Oregonian newspaper, after a group of Portlanders convinced Jackson to help in the reorganization of the Portland...
and The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
, both in Portland. Holmes then moved to Astoria
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811...
along the Oregon Coast
Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon. It runs generally north-south along the Pacific Ocean, forming the western border of the state; the region is bounded to the east by the Oregon Coast Range. The Oregon Coast stretches approximately from the Columbia River in the north to...
in 1937 where he was involved in advertising and radio broadcasting, serving as general manager of KAST
KAST (AM)
KAST is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Astoria, Oregon. The station is owned by New Northwest Broadcasters, LLC of Seattle, Washington, which is wholly owned by , a private equity firm also located in Seattle....
from 1943 to 1957.
Political career
Originally a Republican, he began his political career in local politics in Clatsop CountyClatsop County, Oregon
Clatsop County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for the Clatsop tribe of Native Americans, who lived along the coast of the Pacific Ocean prior to European settlement. As of 2010, the population was 37,039. The county seat is Astoria.-Economy:The principal...
. Holmes first served on the school board for Gearhart
Gearhart, Oregon
Gearhart is a city in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. The population was 995 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 1,185 residents.- Geography :...
south of Astoria, and then on the school board for all the rural schools in the county. After becoming a Democrat, Holmes was elected in 1948 to the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
and re-elected in 1952. He was the first Democratic senator from the county in 64 years. His legislative career was marked by successfully fending off legislation he deemed would threaten the state's fisheries, and in the midst of the McCarthy era
McCarthyism
McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. The term has its origins in the period in the United States known as the Second Red Scare, lasting roughly from the late 1940s to the late 1950s and characterized by...
, going on record against a special loyalty oath for teachers. Additionally, Holmes supported passage of such civil rights legislation as a fair employment law and the outlawing of discrimination in public places. He was appointed by Governor Paul L. Patterson
Paul L. Patterson
Paul Linton Patterson was an American Republican politician. He served as President of the Oregon State Senate and the 26th Governor of Oregon .-Early life:...
as the chair of the Education Committee in 1953.
In 1956, Holmes was elected Governor, to complete the two years remaining on the term of Patterson, who had died in office. Holmes defeated Lew Wallace in the primary and Elmo Smith
Elmo Smith
Elmo Everett Smith was an American politician, a Republican, and the 27th Governor of the state of Oregon, U.S., from 1956 to 1957.-Early life:...
, the Republican state Senate president who had assumed the job after Patterson's death in the general election. Holmes was the first Democrat in 22 years to serve as Oregon's governor.
While in office, Holmes sought to make state government more efficient and responsive. He supported public power development, and the abolition of capital punishment. He commuted every death sentence during his governorship. Holmes also worked to reform education, welfare programs, and also cut taxes by 16%. In 1958, he lost his bid for re-election to Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon Secretary of State
The Secretary of State of Oregon, an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Oregon, is first in line of succession to the Governor. The duties of office are: auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and administrator of public...
Mark Hatfield
Mark Hatfield
Mark Odom Hatfield was an American politician and educator from the state of Oregon. A Republican, he served for 30 years as a United States Senator from Oregon, and also as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee...
, a rising star in the Oregon Republican Party
Oregon Republican Party
The Oregon Republican Party is the state affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Oregon, headquartered in Lake Oswego. The first state party convention was held in Salem on April 21, 1859, and its first nominee for Congress, Portland attorney David Logan...
.
Later life and family
He and the former Marie Hoy were married on May 1, 1934, and they had two sons, Robert Jr. and George. Following his governorship, Holmes hosted a television public affairs program on Portland's KOINKOIN
KOIN is the CBS affiliate television station serving the Portland metropolitan area. Its transmitter is located in Portland, Oregon, United States; it broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 40...
, and served on the Oregon Board of Higher Education from 1969 to 1974. From 1961 to 1962, Holmes also was on a commission that hoped to revise the Oregon Constitution
Oregon Constitution
The Oregon Constitution is the governing document of the U.S. state of Oregon, originally enacted in 1857. As amended the current state constitution contains eighteen sections, beginning with a bill of rights. This contains most of the rights and privileges granted in the United States Bill of...
. A one-time Christian Scientist
Church of Christ, Scientist
The Church of Christ, Scientist was founded in 1879 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, by Mary Baker Eddy. She was the author of the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Christian Science teaches that the "allness" of God denies the reality of sin, sickness, death, and the material world...
, Holmes attended the Episcopal Church. Robert D. Holmes died on June 6, 1976, in Astoria of cancer.
External links
- Guide to Holmes Administration - Oregon State Archives
Robert Denison Holmes (May 11, 1909 – June 6, 1976) was an American politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and journalist from the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A native of the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, he worked in newspapers and radio before entering politics. Though a Republican
Oregon Republican Party
The Oregon Republican Party is the state affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Oregon, headquartered in Lake Oswego. The first state party convention was held in Salem on April 21, 1859, and its first nominee for Congress, Portland attorney David Logan...
early in his career, he served as a Democrat
Democratic Party of Oregon
The Democratic Party of Oregon, based in Portland, is the official Oregon affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. It is recognized by the state of Oregon as a major political party, along with the Oregon Republican Party...
in the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
and as the 28th Governor of Oregon
Governor of Oregon
The Governor of Oregon is the top executive of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The title of governor was also applied to the office of Oregon's chief executive during the provisional and U.S. territorial governments....
. He was governor from 1957 to 1959.
Early life
Robert Holmes was born on May 11, 1909, in CanisteoCanisteo (town), New York
Canisteo is a town in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 4,005 at the 2007 census. The name is from the name of a native village located here....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, to a family with five other siblings. His parents were George and Amy Holmes (née Crary), and his father was a stockbroker. Holmes graduated from high school in 1925 from West High School
Wilson Magnet High School
Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School, sometimes referred to as Wilson Magnet or just Wilson, is a public high school in Rochester, New York. It is in the Rochester City School District.-History:...
in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. Following his graduation the entire family moved west to Oregon and settled in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
.
Holmes then worked for several newspapers in Portland for a short time before he enrolled at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
. He entered in 1928 and graduated in 1932. Following college he returned to the newspaper business, working for the Oregon Journal
Oregon Journal
The Oregon Journal was Portland, Oregon's daily afternoon newspaper from 1902 to 1982. The Journal was founded in Portland by C. S. Jackson, the publisher of Pendleton, Oregon's East Oregonian newspaper, after a group of Portlanders convinced Jackson to help in the reorganization of the Portland...
and The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
, both in Portland. Holmes then moved to Astoria
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811...
along the Oregon Coast
Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon. It runs generally north-south along the Pacific Ocean, forming the western border of the state; the region is bounded to the east by the Oregon Coast Range. The Oregon Coast stretches approximately from the Columbia River in the north to...
in 1937 where he was involved in advertising and radio broadcasting, serving as general manager of KAST
KAST (AM)
KAST is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Astoria, Oregon. The station is owned by New Northwest Broadcasters, LLC of Seattle, Washington, which is wholly owned by , a private equity firm also located in Seattle....
from 1943 to 1957.
Political career
Originally a Republican, he began his political career in local politics in Clatsop CountyClatsop County, Oregon
Clatsop County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for the Clatsop tribe of Native Americans, who lived along the coast of the Pacific Ocean prior to European settlement. As of 2010, the population was 37,039. The county seat is Astoria.-Economy:The principal...
. Holmes first served on the school board for Gearhart
Gearhart, Oregon
Gearhart is a city in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. The population was 995 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 1,185 residents.- Geography :...
south of Astoria, and then on the school board for all the rural schools in the county. After becoming a Democrat, Holmes was elected in 1948 to the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
and re-elected in 1952. He was the first Democratic senator from the county in 64 years. His legislative career was marked by successfully fending off legislation he deemed would threaten the state's fisheries, and in the midst of the McCarthy era
McCarthyism
McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. The term has its origins in the period in the United States known as the Second Red Scare, lasting roughly from the late 1940s to the late 1950s and characterized by...
, going on record against a special loyalty oath for teachers. Additionally, Holmes supported passage of such civil rights legislation as a fair employment law and the outlawing of discrimination in public places. He was appointed by Governor Paul L. Patterson
Paul L. Patterson
Paul Linton Patterson was an American Republican politician. He served as President of the Oregon State Senate and the 26th Governor of Oregon .-Early life:...
as the chair of the Education Committee in 1953.
In 1956, Holmes was elected Governor, to complete the two years remaining on the term of Patterson, who had died in office. Holmes defeated Lew Wallace in the primary and Elmo Smith
Elmo Smith
Elmo Everett Smith was an American politician, a Republican, and the 27th Governor of the state of Oregon, U.S., from 1956 to 1957.-Early life:...
, the Republican state Senate president who had assumed the job after Patterson's death in the general election. Holmes was the first Democrat in 22 years to serve as Oregon's governor.
While in office, Holmes sought to make state government more efficient and responsive. He supported public power development, and the abolition of capital punishment. He commuted every death sentence during his governorship. Holmes also worked to reform education, welfare programs, and also cut taxes by 16%. In 1958, he lost his bid for re-election to Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon Secretary of State
The Secretary of State of Oregon, an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Oregon, is first in line of succession to the Governor. The duties of office are: auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and administrator of public...
Mark Hatfield
Mark Hatfield
Mark Odom Hatfield was an American politician and educator from the state of Oregon. A Republican, he served for 30 years as a United States Senator from Oregon, and also as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee...
, a rising star in the Oregon Republican Party
Oregon Republican Party
The Oregon Republican Party is the state affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Oregon, headquartered in Lake Oswego. The first state party convention was held in Salem on April 21, 1859, and its first nominee for Congress, Portland attorney David Logan...
.
Later life and family
He and the former Marie Hoy were married on May 1, 1934, and they had two sons, Robert Jr. and George. Following his governorship, Holmes hosted a television public affairs program on Portland's KOINKOIN
KOIN is the CBS affiliate television station serving the Portland metropolitan area. Its transmitter is located in Portland, Oregon, United States; it broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 40...
, and served on the Oregon Board of Higher Education from 1969 to 1974. From 1961 to 1962, Holmes also was on a commission that hoped to revise the Oregon Constitution
Oregon Constitution
The Oregon Constitution is the governing document of the U.S. state of Oregon, originally enacted in 1857. As amended the current state constitution contains eighteen sections, beginning with a bill of rights. This contains most of the rights and privileges granted in the United States Bill of...
. A one-time Christian Scientist
Church of Christ, Scientist
The Church of Christ, Scientist was founded in 1879 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, by Mary Baker Eddy. She was the author of the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Christian Science teaches that the "allness" of God denies the reality of sin, sickness, death, and the material world...
, Holmes attended the Episcopal Church. Robert D. Holmes died on June 6, 1976, in Astoria of cancer.
External links
- Guide to Holmes Administration - Oregon State Archives