Robert D. Holmes
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| Robert D. Holmes | |
 Gov. Robert D. Holmes |
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28th Governor of Oregon
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| In office 1957 – 1959 |
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| Preceded by | Elmo Smith |
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| Succeeded by | Mark Hatfield |
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| Born | May 11, 1909-June 6, 1976 Canisteo, New York, USA |
| Died | June 7, 1976 Seaside, Oregon |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse | Marie Hoy Holmes |
| Profession | Broadcaster, Politician |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
Robert Denison Holmes (May 11, 1909 - June 6, 1976) was an American politician, a Democrat, and the twenty-eighth governor of the state of Oregon, USA, from 1957 to 1959.
Holmes was born in Canisteo, New York, and moved to Oregon in 1925. Prior to entering politics, he attended University of Oregon, was involved in advertising and radio broadcasting. He was elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1948. 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 elected in 1956 to complete the two years remaining on the term of Governor Paul L. Patterson, who had died in office. In the 1956 general election, Holmes defeated Elmo Smith, the State Senate president who had assumed the job after Patterson's death. He was the first Democrat to serve as Oregon's governor for twenty-two years.
During his governorship, Holmes sought to make state government more efficient and responsive. He supported public power development, and the abolition of capital punishment. In 1958, he lost his bid for re-election to Mark Hatfield, a rising star in the Oregon Republican party.
Following his governorship, Holmes hosted a television public affairs program, and served on Oregon's Board of Higher Education.
A one-time Christian Scientist, Holmes attended the Episcopal Church. He and the former Marie Hoy were married on May 1, 1934. They had two sons, Robert Jr. and George H. He died June 6, 1976, in Seaside, Oregon.
| Preceded by: Elmo Smith |
Governors of Oregon | Succeeded by: Mark Hatfield |
| Governors of Oregon |  |
|---|---|
| Whiteaker • Gibbs • Woods • Grover • Chadwick • Thayer • Moody • Pennoyer • Lord • Geer • Chamberlain • Benson • Bowerman • West • Withycombe • Olcott • Pierce • I. Patterson • Norblad • Meier • Martin • Sprague • Snell • Hall • McKay • P. Patterson • Smith • Holmes • Hatfield • McCall • Straub • Atiyeh • Goldschmidt • Roberts • Kitzhaber • Kulongoski |
