Robert E. Smylie
Encyclopedia
Robert Eben Smylie was a politician and attorney from Idaho. He served as the 24th Governor of Idaho from 1955 to 1967. He was a member of the Idaho Republican Party
.
He is a graduate of the College of Idaho and The George Washington University Law School
.
Smylie began practicing law in Washington, D.C. but left his practice in 1942 to join the United States Coast Guard
. He returned to practice in 1946.
In November 1947 Smylie was appointed Idaho attorney general by Governor C. A. Robins
to fill a vacancy. He was elected to a full term in 1950.
Smylie was elected governor in 1954 and re-elected in 1958 and 1962. He is the only person in Idaho history to win three consecutive four-year terms as governor. Smylie was the first Governor of Idaho born in the 20th century.
While governor, Smylie served as chair of the Western Governors Association
(1959–1961). He also served as chair of the Republican Governors Association
.
Smylie ran for reelection in 1966, but was defeated in the Republican primary by Don Samuelson
. Afterwards he returned to the practice of law. He served as Trustee, Chair of Trustees, and as acting President of the College of Idaho.
Idaho Republican Party
The Idaho Republican Party, the Idaho state affiliate of the United States Republican Party, is the dominant political party in the state of Idaho. Republicans control the all constitutional offices, with C.L. "Butch" Otter as Governor. They also control by large margins the state Senate and House...
.
He is a graduate of the College of Idaho and The George Washington University Law School
The George Washington University Law School
The George Washington University Law School, commonly referred to as GW Law, is the law school of The George Washington University. It was founded in 1825 and is the oldest law school in Washington, D.C. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the...
.
Smylie began practicing law in Washington, D.C. but left his practice in 1942 to join the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. He returned to practice in 1946.
In November 1947 Smylie was appointed Idaho attorney general by Governor C. A. Robins
C. A. Robins
Charles Armington Robins was the 22nd Governor of Idaho.Elected in 1946, Robins was the first person elected to a four-year term as Governor of Idaho; all previous governors had been elected to two-year terms.Prior to serving as governor Robins was a member of the Idaho State Senate from 1939 to...
to fill a vacancy. He was elected to a full term in 1950.
Smylie was elected governor in 1954 and re-elected in 1958 and 1962. He is the only person in Idaho history to win three consecutive four-year terms as governor. Smylie was the first Governor of Idaho born in the 20th century.
While governor, Smylie served as chair of the Western Governors Association
Western Governors Association
The Western Governors' Association is a non-partisan organization of all 22 United States Governors The Western Governors' Association (WGA) is a non-partisan organization of all 22 United States Governors The Western Governors' Association (WGA) is a non-partisan organization of all 22 United...
(1959–1961). He also served as chair of the Republican Governors Association
Republican Governors Association
The Republican Governors Association is a Washington, D.C.-based 527 organization founded in 1963, consisting of U.S. state and territorial governors affiliated with the Republican Party.Its Democratic Party counterpart is the Democratic Governors Association...
.
Smylie ran for reelection in 1966, but was defeated in the Republican primary by Don Samuelson
Don Samuelson
Donald William Samuelson was a Republican politician from the US state of Idaho. He served as the 25th Governor of Idaho from 1967 to 1971....
. Afterwards he returned to the practice of law. He served as Trustee, Chair of Trustees, and as acting President of the College of Idaho.