Gerald Baliles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerald Baliles
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| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
| In office August 9, 1988 – August 1, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | John H. Sununu |
| Succeeded by | Terry Branstad |
| 65th Governor of Virginia | |
| In office January 18, 1986 – January 13, 1990 |
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| Lieutenant | Douglas Wilder |
| Preceded by | Chuck Robb |
| Succeeded by | Douglas Wilder |
| 34th Attorney General of Virginia | |
| In office January 16, 1982 – June 30, 1985 |
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| Governor | Chuck Robb |
| Preceded by | Marshall Coleman |
| Succeeded by | William Broaddus |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 35th district |
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| In office January 14, 1976 – January 13, 1982 |
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| Preceded by | Howard Carwile |
| Succeeded by | C. Hardaway Marks |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gerald Lee Baliles
July 8, 1940 Stuart, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | October 29, 2019 (aged 79) Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Jeannie Patterson
(m. 1965; div. 1996)Robin Deal
(m. 2003) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Wesleyan University (BA) University of Virginia (LLB) |
Gerald Lee Baliles (born July 8, 1940 – died October 29, 2019) was an American lawyer and politician from the Democratic Party. He served as the 65th Governor of Virginia from 1986 to 1990. Before becoming governor, he was Virginia's Attorney General from 1982 to 1985. He also represented Richmond and Henrico County in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1976 to 1982. After his time in public office, Baliles worked in private law and directed the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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Early Life and Education
Gerald Baliles was born on July 8, 1940, in Patrick County, near Stuart, Virginia. When his parents divorced, he and his brother Larry were raised by their grandparents. His other brother, Stuart, was raised by an aunt and uncle.
During a time called "Massive Resistance" in Virginia, which led to some schools closing, Baliles attended Fishburne Military School. He later earned a bachelor's degree in Government from Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 1963. In 1967, he received his law degree (J.D.) from the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Political Career in Virginia
After finishing law school, Baliles became an assistant attorney general in Richmond, Virginia's capital. He became skilled in environmental law. He was promoted to Deputy Attorney General of Virginia, serving in that role from 1972 to 1975.
In 1975, Baliles was elected to the Virginia General Assembly as a delegate. He represented Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia in the Virginia House of Delegates. This was a part-time job. He was re-elected several times, serving until 1981. In the legislature, he worked on committees dealing with businesses, insurance, banking, and agriculture.
Serving as Attorney General
In 1981, Baliles ran for the statewide office of Attorney General. He won the election as part of a team led by Chuck Robb, who became Virginia's 64th Governor. His fellow attorneys general recognized him as "Outstanding Attorney General." He later resigned from this role to run for governor.
Becoming Governor of Virginia
Virginia's state constitution says that governors can only serve one term at a time. So, Baliles ran to take over from Governor Robb. He won both the Democratic primary election and the main election in 1985.
In this election, Baliles led a diverse group of Democratic candidates. Douglas Wilder became Lieutenant Governor, making him the first African-American to hold that office in Virginia. Mary Sue Terry became Attorney General, the first woman to hold that office. Baliles won with 55.2% of the votes.
He served as the 65th Governor of Virginia from 1986 to 1990. He was known for focusing on improving transportation, education, and the economy.
Key Achievements as Governor
- Transportation Improvements: Governor Baliles worked to improve Virginia's roads and transportation system. In 1986, he helped pass a plan to raise money for these improvements, even supporting higher gasoline taxes. Because of his efforts, some people called him Virginia's "transportation governor."
- Boosting the Economy: He focused on helping Virginia compete in global markets. During his time, international trade for Virginia grew a lot, and the state's income increased.
- Education Focus: Baliles believed in lifelong learning. His administration increased salaries for college teachers, making their pay the highest in the South. He also started meetings to build a flexible education system for all Virginians, including those in rural areas.
- Environmental Protection: He worked to protect Virginia's environment, including efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.
- Historic Appointments: He appointed the first woman, Elizabeth B. Lacy, to the Virginia Supreme Court. He also worked to expand the state's prison system.
- Job Growth: During his term, Virginia gained 300,000 new jobs. The state also had the highest income per person in the South.
- National Summit: In 1989, he hosted a meeting of the nation's governors in Charlottesville, Virginia, with President George H. W. Bush.
Life After Being Governor
After his term as governor ended in 1990, Baliles returned to working as a lawyer. He became a partner at a national law firm called Hunton & Williams in Richmond, Virginia. He focused on aviation and international law, helping airlines and airports with agreements.
He also took on public service roles. He chaired a commission for President Bill Clinton and Congress about the airline industry. He also served on the boards of companies like Norfolk Southern Corporation and Altria Group. For two terms, he was the chairman of the board for the Public Broadcasting System.
Baliles loved fishing and worked to protect the Chesapeake Bay. In 1995, he wrote a book called Preserving the Chesapeake Bay. He also helped raise money for Bay cleanup efforts and was named "conservationist of the year" by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in 2005.
In 2006, Baliles became the director of the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. He created a TV show called "American Forum" and oversaw the publication of White House tapes and oral history projects with former presidents. He retired from this role in 2014.
Family Life
Gerald Baliles was married twice. He had two children, Laura and Jonathan, with his first wife, Jeannie Baliles. In his later years, he and his second wife, Robin, lived in both Charlottesville and Patrick County. His son, Jon Baliles, followed in his footsteps and was elected to the Richmond City Council.
Death
Gerald Baliles passed away on October 29, 2019, at the age of 79. He died in Charlottesville, Virginia, after a four-year battle with cancer and a lung disease. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ordered state flags to be flown at half-mast to honor his service to the state.
Images for kids
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Gerald Baliles after his time as governor.
See also
In Spanish: Gerald L. Baliles para niños
