Joe R. Hanley
Encyclopedia
Joseph Rhodes Hanley was an American
lawyer and Republican
politician
who served as Lieutenant Governor of New York
from 1943 to 1950.
. In 1941 and 1942, he was Commander-in-Chief of the United Spanish War Veterans
.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly
from Wyoming County, New York
from 1927 to 1931, and a member of the New York State Senate
from the 44th District from 1932 to 1943. After the death of Perley A. Pitcher
, he was elected Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
on February 27, 1939. When Charles Poletti
succeeded to the governor's office upon the resignation of Herbert H. Lehman
in December 1942, Hanley became Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York
for four weeks.
When Thomas W. Wallace
died in office on July 17, 1943, he became again Acting Lieutenant Governor. In November 1943
, he defeated Democrat
William N. Haskell in a special election for Lieutenant Governor and, re-elected in 1946, continued in office until the end of 1950. He was a delegate to the 1944
and 1948 Republican National Convention
s.
Early in 1950, Governor Thomas E. Dewey announced he would not seek another term as governor. Hanley was the leading candidate to succeed him. Then Dewey decided to run after all and was re-elected. For the record, Hanley claimed he had bowed out of the campaign voluntarily to clear the way for Dewey. But, in a "Dear King" letter to W. Kingsland Macy
, Hanley said Dewey had persuaded him to run for U.S. Senator from New York instead and had promised him a state job if he lost the Senate race. He lost the senate race and was appointed special counsel to the State Division of Veterans' Affairs.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer and Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who served as 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...
from 1943 to 1950.
Life
He served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. In 1941 and 1942, he was Commander-in-Chief of the United Spanish War Veterans
United Spanish War Veterans
Soon after the Spanish-American War ended, in early 1899, discharged veterans rushed to form fraternal societies. Among these were the Spanish War Veterans, the Spanish-American War Veterans, the Servicemen of the Spanish War, American Veterans of Foreign Service, the Army of the Philippines, the...
.
He was a member of 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...
from Wyoming County, New York
Wyoming County, New York
Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. At the 2010 census, the population was 42,155. The county seat is Warsaw. The name is from a modified Delaware Indian word meaning "broad bottom lands"...
from 1927 to 1931, and a member of 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...
from the 44th District from 1932 to 1943. After the death of Perley A. Pitcher
Perley A. Pitcher
Perley A. Pitcher was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was Majority Leader of the New York State Senate in 1939.-Life:...
, he was elected Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
The Majority Leader of the New York State Senate is elected by the majority of the members of the New York State Senate. The position usually coincides with the title of Temporary President of the State Senate, who presides over the session of the State Senate if the Lieutenant Governor of New York...
on February 27, 1939. When 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:...
succeeded to the governor's office upon the resignation of Herbert H. Lehman
Herbert H. Lehman
Herbert Henry Lehman was a Democratic Party politician from New York. He was the 45th Governor of New York from 1933 to 1942, and represented New York in the United States Senate from 1950 to 1957.-Lehman Brothers:...
in December 1942, Hanley became Acting 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...
for four weeks.
When Thomas W. Wallace
Thomas W. Wallace
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.-Life:Wallace was corporation counsel of Schenectady, New York...
died in office on July 17, 1943, he became again Acting Lieutenant Governor. 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:...
, he defeated Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
William N. Haskell in a special election for Lieutenant Governor and, re-elected in 1946, continued in office until the end of 1950. He was a delegate to the 1944
1944 Republican National Convention
The 1944 Republican National Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois, from June 26 to 28, 1944. It nominated Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York for President and Governor John Bricker of Ohio for Vice-President....
and 1948 Republican National Convention
1948 Republican National Convention
The 1948 Republican National Convention was held at the Municipal Auditorium, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from June 21 to 25, 1948.New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey had paved the way to win the Republican presidential nomination in the primary elections, where he had beaten Minnesota Governor...
s.
Early in 1950, Governor Thomas E. Dewey announced he would not seek another term as governor. Hanley was the leading candidate to succeed him. Then Dewey decided to run after all and was re-elected. For the record, Hanley claimed he had bowed out of the campaign voluntarily to clear the way for Dewey. But, in a "Dear King" letter to W. Kingsland Macy
W. Kingsland Macy
William Kingsland "King" Macy was a United States Representative from New York. Born in New York City, he graduated from Groton School William Kingsland "King" Macy (November 21, 1889 – July 15, 1961) was a United States Representative from New York. Born in New York City, he graduated from...
, Hanley said Dewey had persuaded him to run for U.S. Senator from New York instead and had promised him a state job if he lost the Senate race. He lost the senate race and was appointed special counsel to the State Division of Veterans' Affairs.