Thelma Stovall
Encyclopedia
Thelma Hawkins Stovall (April 1, 1919 - February 1994) was a pioneering female Southern
politician
who won several statewide elective offices in Kentucky
, capping her career as Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
(1975–1979) under the administration of her fellow Democrat
, Governor Julian Carroll
.
Stovall was born in Munfordville, Kentucky
. She later moved to Louisville
. At the age of 15, she started working for the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation to support her family during the Great Depression
. She became involved in union politics in young adulthood and remained close to Kentucky labor unions throughout her career. She obtained a degree from La Salle Extension University
.
Stovall won election to the Kentucky House of Representatives
in 1950 and was re-elected twice. She served as president of the Kentucky Young Democrats, 1952-1956. Stovall was elected Secretary of State of Kentucky
in 1956, 1964 and 1972, and Kentucky State Treasurer
in 1960 and 1968. Stovall served in those two offices continuously for five straight terms, 1956–1975, thereby becoming (with Frances Jones Mills
and Drexell R. Davis
) among the best-known practitioners of "musical chairs" office holding in the time when Kentucky's constitution prohibited any statewide officials from serving consecutive terms in the same office.
In 1959, Stovall was secretary of state, then the third-ranking office in Kentucky. When she discovered that the governor and lieutenant governor were both out of state, as acting governor (by law) she pardoned three prisoners, including a holdup man sentenced to up to life for stealing $28.
In 1975, Stovall was the first woman nominated for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
by either major political party. Stovall defeated the Republican nominee, Shirley W. Palmer-Ball
, with 430,011 votes (54.6%) to Palmer-Ball's 357,744 votes (45.4%). Stovall ran well behind Julian Carroll, who headed the Democratic ticket and won the governor's office with 470,159 votes (62.8%) to 277,998 votes (37.2%) for the Republican nominee Bob Gable
.
Under a since-repealed constitutional provision, as lieutenant governor Stovall often invoked her powers as acting governor
when Governor Julian Carroll
left the state. In 1978, as acting governor in Carroll's absence Stovall issued pardons and called the Kentucky General Assembly
into special session to enact legislation limiting property tax increases. Most famously, she "vetoed" the legislature's repeal of its ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment
, an action that was ridiculed because only the state legislatures ratify proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution, with state governors
playing no role.
Stovall sought election as Governor of Kentucky
in 1979 but lost in the Democratic primary to John Y. Brown, Jr.
, who went on to win the general election. Stovall won 47,633 votes, good for fifth place behind Brown's 165,188 votes, 139,713 for Harvey I. Sloane
, the mayor of Louisville
, 131,530 for Terry McBrayer
and 68,577 for 1st District Congressman Carroll Hubbard
. Stovall did finish ahead of four minor candidates in the gubernatorial primary.
Stovall returned to Louisville after leaving the lieutenant governor's office and did not hold public office again. Her portrait, painted by Louisville portrait painter Doris Leist, hangs in the Capitol.
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who won several statewide elective offices in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, capping her career as Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
The office of lieutenant governor of Kentucky has existed under the last three of Kentucky's four constitutions, beginning in 1797. The lieutenant governor serves as governor of Kentucky under circumstances similar to the Vice President of the United States assuming the powers of the presidency...
(1975–1979) under the administration of her fellow 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...
, Governor Julian Carroll
Julian Carroll
Julian Morton Carroll is a politician from the US state of Kentucky. A Democrat, he is presently a member of the Kentucky Senate, representing Anderson, Franklin, Woodford, and part of Fayette counties. From 1974 to 1979, he served as the 54th Governor of Kentucky, succeeding Wendell H. Ford, who...
.
Stovall was born in Munfordville, Kentucky
Munfordville, Kentucky
Munfordville is a city in and the county seat of Hart County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,563 at the 2000 census.-History:The city was once known as Big Buffalo Crossing. The current name came from Richard Jones Munford, who donated the land for development in 1816...
. She later moved to Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. At the age of 15, she started working for the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation to support her family during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. She became involved in union politics in young adulthood and remained close to Kentucky labor unions throughout her career. She obtained a degree from La Salle Extension University
La Salle Extension University
La Salle Extension University , also styled as LaSalle Extension University, was a nationally accredited private university based in Chicago, Illinois. Although the school offered resident educational programs in classes and seminars their primary mode of delivery was by way of distance learning...
.
Stovall won election to the Kentucky House of Representatives
Kentucky House of Representatives
The Kentucky House of Representatives is the lower house of the Kentucky General Assembly. It is composed of 100 Representatives elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. Not more than two counties can be joined to form a House district, except when necessary to preserve...
in 1950 and was re-elected twice. She served as president of the Kentucky Young Democrats, 1952-1956. Stovall was elected Secretary of State of Kentucky
Secretary of State of Kentucky
The Secretary of State of Kentucky is one of the constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is now an elected office, but was an appointed office prior to 1891. The current Secretary of State is Democrat Elaine Walker, who was appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to fulfill the...
in 1956, 1964 and 1972, and Kentucky State Treasurer
Kentucky State Treasurer
The Kentucky State Treasurer is elected every 4 years. The treasurer, who can serve two terms, acts as the state's chief elected fiscal officer. The salary of the state treasurer is $110,000 a year...
in 1960 and 1968. Stovall served in those two offices continuously for five straight terms, 1956–1975, thereby becoming (with Frances Jones Mills
Frances Jones Mills
Frances Jones Mills was a state official in Kentucky for a large portion of the 1970s and 1980s.Mills was born in Gray, Kentucky. Mills was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives from Knox County, Kentucky in 1961 as a Democrat, serving one term from a heavily Republican district. She...
and Drexell R. Davis
Drexell R. Davis
Drexell R. Davis , a Democrat, held several elective offices in Kentucky. He was born Shelby County, Kentucky....
) among the best-known practitioners of "musical chairs" office holding in the time when Kentucky's constitution prohibited any statewide officials from serving consecutive terms in the same office.
In 1959, Stovall was secretary of state, then the third-ranking office in Kentucky. When she discovered that the governor and lieutenant governor were both out of state, as acting governor (by law) she pardoned three prisoners, including a holdup man sentenced to up to life for stealing $28.
In 1975, Stovall was the first woman nominated for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
The office of lieutenant governor of Kentucky has existed under the last three of Kentucky's four constitutions, beginning in 1797. The lieutenant governor serves as governor of Kentucky under circumstances similar to the Vice President of the United States assuming the powers of the presidency...
by either major political party. Stovall defeated the Republican nominee, Shirley W. Palmer-Ball
Shirley W. Palmer-Ball
Shirley W. Palmer-Ball is a politically active Republican in the U.S. state of Kentucky who was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky in 1975....
, with 430,011 votes (54.6%) to Palmer-Ball's 357,744 votes (45.4%). Stovall ran well behind Julian Carroll, who headed the Democratic ticket and won the governor's office with 470,159 votes (62.8%) to 277,998 votes (37.2%) for the Republican nominee Bob Gable
Bob Gable
Robert Gable, a businessman from southern Kentucky, was the Republican nominee for Governor of Kentucky in 1975. He lost in a landslide to the incumbent Democrat, Julian Carroll. Carroll won 470,159 votes to 277,998 for Gable....
.
Under a since-repealed constitutional provision, as lieutenant governor Stovall often invoked her powers as acting governor
Acting governor
An acting governor is a constitutional position created in some U.S. states when the governor dies in office or resigns. In some states, the governor may also be declared to be incapacitated and unable to function for various reasons, including illness and absence from the state for more than a...
when Governor Julian Carroll
Julian Carroll
Julian Morton Carroll is a politician from the US state of Kentucky. A Democrat, he is presently a member of the Kentucky Senate, representing Anderson, Franklin, Woodford, and part of Fayette counties. From 1974 to 1979, he served as the 54th Governor of Kentucky, succeeding Wendell H. Ford, who...
left the state. In 1978, as acting governor in Carroll's absence Stovall issued pardons and called the Kentucky General Assembly
Kentucky General Assembly
The Kentucky General Assembly, also called the Kentucky Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Kentucky.The General Assembly meets annually in the state capitol building in Frankfort, Kentucky, convening on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January...
into special session to enact legislation limiting property tax increases. Most famously, she "vetoed" the legislature's repeal of its ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time...
, an action that was ridiculed because only the state legislatures ratify proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution, with state governors
Governor (United States)
In the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state or insular territory, not directly subordinate to the federal authorities, but the political and ceremonial head of the state.-Role and powers:...
playing no role.
Stovall sought election as Governor of Kentucky
Governor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
in 1979 but lost in the Democratic primary to John Y. Brown, Jr.
John Y. Brown, Jr.
This article is about one of four John Young Browns, from Kentucky, that have served political office. For others see: John Young Brown ...
, who went on to win the general election. Stovall won 47,633 votes, good for fifth place behind Brown's 165,188 votes, 139,713 for Harvey I. Sloane
Harvey I. Sloane
Harvey I. Sloane , a physician and Democrat, served two terms as Mayor of Louisville, Kentucky and also a term as county judge-executive of Jefferson County, Kentucky...
, the mayor of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, 131,530 for Terry McBrayer
Terry McBrayer
W. Terry McBrayer is a Democratic lobbyist, attorney, and former politician in Lexington, Kentucky.McBrayer is currently the senior partner and lead lobbyist for the influential McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie & Kirkland law firm. He is a native of Greenup County, Kentucky and graduate of Morehead...
and 68,577 for 1st District Congressman Carroll Hubbard
Carroll Hubbard
Carroll Hubbard, Jr. , a Democrat, represented Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1993.Hubbard grew up in Murray, Kentucky, graduated from Georgetown College in 1959 and from the University of Louisville law school in 1962...
. Stovall did finish ahead of four minor candidates in the gubernatorial primary.
Stovall returned to Louisville after leaving the lieutenant governor's office and did not hold public office again. Her portrait, painted by Louisville portrait painter Doris Leist, hangs in the Capitol.