Skipper Bowles
Encyclopedia
Hargrove "Skipper" Bowles, Jr. (November 16, 1919 – September 7, 1986) was an influential Democratic
politician and businessman, based in Greensboro
, North Carolina
.
Bowles was born in Monroe, North Carolina
and served in the United States Military during World War II
(1943–1945). In the early 1960s, Bowles served as Governor Terry Sanford
's Secretary of Conservation and Development, a post which later became known as Secretary of Commerce. Afterwards, Bowles was elected to one term in the North Carolina House of Representatives
and two terms in the North Carolina Senate
.
In 1972 Bowles won the Democratic primary for Governor of North Carolina
but lost the general election to James Holshouser
. Thus, he became the first Democratic nominee to lose the North Carolina gubernatorial race in the twentieth century.
Bowles later became known for his service to and fundraising for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
, from which he graduated in 1941. UNC's Center for Alcohol Studies is named for him.
Bowles died in 1986 from complications of Lou Gehrig's disease.
His son, Erskine Bowles
, followed his father both into the investment banking business and into politics.
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...
politician and businessman, based in Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Bowles was born in Monroe, North Carolina
Monroe, North Carolina
Monroe is a city in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 36,397 as of the 2010 census. It is the seat of government of Union County and is also part of the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC Metropolitan area.-Geography:...
and served in the United States Military during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
(1943–1945). In the early 1960s, Bowles served as Governor Terry Sanford
Terry Sanford
James Terry Sanford was a United States politician and educator from North Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, Sanford was the 65th Governor of North Carolina , a two-time U.S. Presidential candidate in the 1970s and a U.S. Senator...
's Secretary of Conservation and Development, a post which later became known as Secretary of Commerce. Afterwards, Bowles was elected to one term in the North Carolina House of Representatives
North Carolina House of Representatives
The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate....
and two terms in the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
.
In 1972 Bowles won the Democratic primary for Governor of North Carolina
Governor of North Carolina
The Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
but lost the general election to James Holshouser
James Holshouser
James Eubert Holshouser, Jr. was the 68th Governor of the state of North Carolina from 1973 to 1977. He was born in Boone, North Carolina....
. Thus, he became the first Democratic nominee to lose the North Carolina gubernatorial race in the twentieth century.
Bowles later became known for his service to and fundraising for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, from which he graduated in 1941. UNC's Center for Alcohol Studies is named for him.
Bowles died in 1986 from complications of Lou Gehrig's disease.
His son, Erskine Bowles
Erskine Bowles
Erskine Boyce Bowles is an American businessman and political figure from North Carolina. He served from 2005 to 2010 as the President of the University of North Carolina system...
, followed his father both into the investment banking business and into politics.