Back إلمو سميث Arabic المو ایسمیت AZB Elmo Smith German אלמו סמית' HE Смит, Элмо Russian Elmo Smith Swedish
Elmo Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 27th Governor of Oregon | |
| In office January 31, 1956 – January 14, 1957 | |
| Preceded by | Paul L. Patterson |
| Succeeded by | Robert D. Holmes |
| President of the Oregon State Senate | |
| In office 1955–1956 | |
| Preceded by | Eugene E. Marsh |
| Succeeded by | Boyd R. Overhulse |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Elmo Everett Smith November 19, 1909 Grand Junction, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | July 15, 1968 (aged 58) Albany, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Dorothy Smith (m. 1933) |
| Children | Dennis Alan Smith Janice Elaine Smith |
| Profession | Newspaper publisher, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943-1945 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Pacific Theater of Operations |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Elmo Everett Smith (November 19, 1909 – July 15, 1968) was an American politician and newspaper publisher who served as the 27th Governor of Oregon from 1956 to 1957. A member of the Republican Party, Smith served two terms as mayor of Ontario from 1940 to 1943 before resigning to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After returning to civilian life he severed as Ontario mayor for three more terms and was elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1948. He became President of the Senate in 1955. Smith was elevated to the governorship following the unexpected death of Governor Paul L. Patterson on January 31, 1956. A special election for November was called to fill the position for the final two years of Patterson's term. Smith won the Republication primary but lost in gubernatorial election to Democratic nominee Robert D. Holmes.[1][2]
Smith was seen as having "a Horatio Alger success story"[3] due to his humble beginnings. He was born in a log cabin and grew up to serve as governor.[3] He was relatively unknown to the general public across Oregon when he was sworn-in, outside of statehouse political enthusiasts, local newspaper publishers and the small rural communities of Eastern Oregon.[4] When it came to his politics, The Oregonian in an editorial wrote Smith "earned a reputation as a plain-speaking man who applied the rule of common sense to problems of government. He is conservative in his views on taxation and middle-of-the-road on most subjects."
- ^ Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 4. Westport, CT: Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.
- ^ "Elmo Everett Smith". National Governors Association. January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
- ^ a b Wright Jr., Thomas G. (October 24, 1956). "Role of Governor Steers Elmo Smith to Party Leadership". Statesman Journal. Salem, Oregon. p. 14.
- ^ "Elmo Smith". Corvallis Gazette-Times. July 16, 1968. p. 4. Retrieved January 18, 2025.