Thomas W. Wallace
Encyclopedia
Thomas W. Wallace was an American
lawyer and Republican politician
. Running on the ticket with Governor Thomas E. Dewey, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York
in November 1942, but died less than seven months into his only term.
. After serving as district attorney for Schenectady County, he was elected to the New York State Senate
. While presiding over the Senate, he ran for the Republican nomination for New York Attorney General in 1942, but was instead nominated for Lieutenant Governor. Defeating incumbent Democrat Charles Poletti
, he was positioned to succeed Dewey as Governor if Dewey were to win the presidency in 1944.
, and was placed in an oxygen tent at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. His condition rapidly deteriorated, and he died the following week. He was buried at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna, New York.
decided in the affirmative, meeting with harsh criticism from Governor Dewey. An amendment to the State Constitution in 1937
had increased the New York State Assembly
men's term to two years and the State Senators
had already been elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years since 1898, so that now in odd-numbered years there was no general election at all. Despite Dewey's objections, a statewide special election was held in November 1943
. On recommendation of Governor Dewey, the Legislature passed, and the voters approved, a constitutional amendment which prohibited any elections for lieutenant governor in any event except at the time of the election of a governor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer and Republican politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Running on the ticket with Governor Thomas E. Dewey, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
in November 1942, but died less than seven months into his only term.
Life
Wallace was corporation counsel of Schenectady, New YorkSchenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
. After serving as district attorney for Schenectady County, he was elected to the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
. While presiding over the Senate, he ran for the Republican nomination for New York Attorney General in 1942, but was instead nominated for Lieutenant Governor. Defeating incumbent Democrat Charles Poletti
Charles Poletti
Charles Poletti was an American lawyer and politician. He was the 46th Governor of New York in 1942, and was the first Italian-American governor in the United States.-Early life and education:...
, he was positioned to succeed Dewey as Governor if Dewey were to win the presidency in 1944.
Early death
Wallace took office on January 1, 1943. In early July 1943, however, he contracted chicken pox from his two children. Two days later he began to suffer from pneumoniaPneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
, and was placed in an oxygen tent at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. His condition rapidly deteriorated, and he died the following week. He was buried at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna, New York.
Political aftermath
His death raised the question if the revised State Constitution, adopted in 1938, required a special election to fill the vacancy. The New York Court of AppealsNew York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
decided in the affirmative, meeting with harsh criticism from Governor Dewey. An amendment to the State Constitution in 1937
New York state election, 1937
The 1937 New York state election was held on November 2, 1937, to elect a judge of the New York Court of Appeals, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly...
had increased the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
men's term to two years and the State Senators
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
had already been elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years since 1898, so that now in odd-numbered years there was no general election at all. Despite Dewey's objections, a statewide special election was held in November 1943
New York state election, 1943
The 1943 New York state election was held on November 2, 1943, to elect the Lieutenant Governor and a judge of the New York Court of Appeals.-Background:...
. On recommendation of Governor Dewey, the Legislature passed, and the voters approved, a constitutional amendment which prohibited any elections for lieutenant governor in any event except at the time of the election of a governor.