George M. Leader
| George M. Leader | |
| 36th Governor of Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| In office January 18, 1955 – January 20, 1959 |
|
| Lieutenant | Roy Furman |
| Preceded by | John Fine |
| Succeeded by | David Lawrence |
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 28th district |
|
| In office January 2, 1951 – November 30, 1954 |
|
| Preceded by | Guy Leader |
| Succeeded by | Harry Seyler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 17, 1918 York, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Jane Strickler |
| Alma mater | Gettysburg College |
| Profession | Businessman, Politician |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
George Michael Leader (born January 17, 1918) served as the 36th Governor of Pennsylvania from January 18, 1955 until January 20, 1959. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and a native of York County, Pennsylvania. Currently he is the only person from that county ever to be elected governor of the state.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
George Leader was the third child of Guy and Beulah Leader. He grew up on their York County poultry farm, and was educated in a one-room schoolhouse. He later graduated from York High School, then obtained an undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College. He did graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania, with a focus on philosophy, economics, and political science. Leader received an MGA from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1939, he married Mary Jane Strickler, and, during World War II, he served on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater.[1]
[edit] Career
Following the war, Leader began a family-operated chicken hatchery, and served in leadership positions in the York County Democratic Party. He successfully ran for Pennsylvania State Senate in 1950, winning the 28th district seat previously held by his father, Guy. In 1952, he ran for State Treasurer of Pennsylvania.[2] Despite narrowly losing that race, he built name recognition for himself that would be useful for any future run for state-wide office.[1]
Leader utilized this name recognition to run for governor in 1954. The Republicans had a large edge in voter registration in Pennsylvania at this time, and no Democrat had been elected governor since 1934. Despite these disadvantages, Leader picked up substantial support from labor and agricultural interests, and managed to defeat Lt. Governor Lloyd Wood, the Republican nominee, by 280,000 votes. Sworn in on January 18, 1955, one day after turning 37, he was the second youngest person ever to be elected to the post.[1]
During his administration, Leader initiated programs to deal with Pennsylvania's lackluster economy and its substantial budget deficit.[1] Shortly after taking office, in June 1955 he signed legislation that authorized the construction of a Curtiss-Wright research facility at Quehanna, in Clearfield County; the Sanitary Water Board also issued a permit for the discharge or radio active waste into Mosquito Creek and the Atonmic Energy Commission issued a twenty-year license ot operate a four megawatt nuclear reactor.[3] He also increased funding to education, engaged in a highly publicized campaign to reform Pennsylvania's state mental hospitals, and carved out a role for the state in protecting the civil rights of African-Americans and other minorities.[1]
Leader was unable to run for re-election in 1958 because the Pennsylvania Constitution that was in place at that time term limited governors to a single four-year term. Instead, he opted to run that year for a seat in the Senate, a race which he lost to Republican Congressman Hugh Scott.[1]
[edit] Later life
Although Leader never again sought elected office following his 1958 defeat, he stayed active in Democratic politics and has spoken out on a number of issues. He and his family established Country Meadows[4] and Providence Place Retirement[5] Communities in the 1980s and 90s, and he currently resides in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.[1] Leader still activity operates the non-profit Providence Place Retirement Communities, while his family operates Country Meadows facilities. Country Meadows' CEO is Leader's son G. Michael Leader, COO is son David Leader, and CFO is son-in-law Ted Janeczek. Mary Jane Leader died March 15, 2011, due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.[6]
Upon the death of former Delaware governor Elbert Carvel in 2005, Leader became the earliest serving U.S. governor of any state still living.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission website
- ^ http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/leader-leak.html
- ^ Susan Strahan, Susquehanna, river of Dreams. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993, 0801846021, p. 189.
- ^ Country Meadows - Independent, Retirement, & Assisted Living Communities in Pennsylvania
- ^ Providence Place
- ^ The Philadelphia Inquirer
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Fine |
Governor of Pennsylvania 1955–1959 |
Succeeded by David Lawrence |
| Pennsylvania State Senate | ||
| Preceded by Guy Leader |
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 28th District 1951–1954 |
Succeeded by Harry Seyler |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Elbert N. Carvel |
Earliest serving US governor 2005- |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Richardson Dilworth |
Democratic nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania 1954 (won) |
Succeeded by David Lawrence |
| Preceded by Guy Bard |
Democratic nominee for United States Senator from Pennsylvania (Class 1) 1958 |
Succeeded by Genevieve Blatt |
|
