Thomas P. Salmon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas P. Salmon
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Salmon in 1975
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| 75th Governor of Vermont | |
| In office January 4, 1973 – January 6, 1977 |
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| Lieutenant | John S. Burgess Brian D. Burns |
| Preceded by | Deane C. Davis |
| Succeeded by | Richard A. Snelling |
| Minority Leader of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
| In office January 8, 1969 – January 5, 1971 |
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| Preceded by | Leo O'Brien |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Candon |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
| In office January 6, 1965 – January 5, 1971 |
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| Preceded by | Clarence Coleman (Rockingham) |
| Succeeded by | Maurice Stack Randolph Major (13-1 district) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Paul Salmon
August 19, 1932 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 14, 2025 (aged 92) Brattleboro, Vermont, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Madge Savaria
(m. 1958; div. 1983)Susan Bisson
(m. 1984) |
| Children | 4 (including Tom) |
| Education | Boston College (BA, JD) New York University (LLM) |
Thomas Paul Salmon (born August 19, 1932, died January 14, 2025) was an important American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He served as the 75th governor of Vermont from 1973 to 1977.
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Early Life and Education
Thomas P. Salmon was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 19, 1932. He grew up in Stow, Massachusetts. He finished high school in 1950 at Hudson High School.
He went to Boston College and earned a degree in history and government in 1954. He then studied law at Boston College Law School, getting his law degree in 1957. He continued his studies at New York University Law School. After becoming a lawyer, he moved to Rockingham, Vermont, and started his own law practice.
Family Life
In August 1958, Thomas Salmon married Madeleine Gabrielle Savaria. They had four children: Anne Marie, Marguerite, Thomas M., and Caroline. Their son, Thomas M. Salmon, later became the Vermont State Auditor. Thomas and Madeleine Salmon divorced in 1983. In 1984, he married Susan June Bisson.
Political Career
Thomas Salmon began his public service in 1960 as the town lawyer for Rockingham, Vermont. He held this position for 12 years. From 1963 to 1965, he also worked as a judge for the Bellows Falls municipal court.
He was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1965. He served several terms, representing Rockingham and later District 13-1. During his last term in the House, he was the leader of the minority party.
Becoming Governor
In 1972, Thomas Salmon decided to run for governor of Vermont. He joined the race just a few months before the election. His campaign used the slogan "Vermont Is Not For Sale." This slogan showed his concern that too much land in Vermont was being bought by people from outside the state.
Even though Republicans won most other statewide offices, Salmon won the governor's race. As governor, he helped pass a special tax on land sales. This tax helped slow down land speculation in Vermont. He was re-elected governor in 1974. He also led the New England Governors' Conference for two years.
Later Public Service
After his time as governor, Salmon went back to practicing law. In 1991, he was chosen to be the temporary president of the University of Vermont. He then became the permanent president from 1993 to 1998. After leaving the university, he continued to practice law in Bellows Falls, Vermont. He also served as the chairman of the board for Green Mountain Power for many years.
Thomas P. Salmon passed away in Brattleboro, Vermont, on January 14, 2025.
