Wesley Bolin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wesley Bolin
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| 15th Governor of Arizona | |
| In office October 20, 1977 – March 4, 1978 |
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| Preceded by | Raúl H. Castro |
| Succeeded by | Bruce Babbitt |
| 12th Secretary of State of Arizona | |
| In office January 3, 1949 – October 20, 1977 |
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| Governor | Dan Edward Garvey John Howard Pyle Ernest McFarland Paul Fannin Samuel Pearson Goddard, Jr. Jack Williams Raúl H. Castro |
| Preceded by | Curtis M. Williams |
| Succeeded by | Rose Mofford |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Harvey Wesley Bolin
July 1, 1909 near Butler, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | March 4, 1978 (aged 68) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Phoenix College La Salle Extension University |
| Profession | Businessman |
Harvey Wesley Bolin (born July 1, 1909 – died March 4, 1978) was an American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Bolin served as the 15th governor of Arizona from 1977 to 1978. His time as governor was very short, lasting only five months. Before becoming governor, he was Arizona's Secretary of State for 28 years. This was the longest anyone had ever served in that role. He became governor after the previous governor resigned.
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Early Life and Career
Wesley Bolin was born on a farm in Missouri in 1909. When he was six years old, his family moved to Arizona. He grew up and went to school in Phoenix. He attended Isaac Elementary School and graduated from Phoenix Union High School. Later, he went to Phoenix College. Bolin also worked in the dry cleaning business. He earned a law degree from La Salle Extension University.
Bolin was very active in politics as a Democrat. In 1938, he was elected as a constable for West Phoenix. A constable is a law enforcement officer, similar to a sheriff's deputy. From 1943 to 1948, he served as a justice of the peace in the same area. A justice of the peace is a local judge who handles minor legal cases. While serving as a judge, Bolin helped start the Arizona Justices of the Peace and Constables Association.
Longest-Serving Secretary of State
Bolin served as Arizona's Secretary of State for over 28 years. This makes him the longest-serving Secretary of State in Arizona's history. He was first elected to this important state job in 1948. He was re-elected many times. From 1950 to 1968, state executive offices had two-year terms. He won elections every two years during that time. Later, terms became four years long, and he won two more times in 1970 and 1974.
In his last few elections, he faced tough competition. In 1974, he almost lost his thirteenth campaign.
Becoming Governor
Wesley Bolin became governor in October 1977. This happened after the previous governor, Raúl H. Castro, resigned. Governor Castro was chosen by President Jimmy Carter to be the ambassador to Argentina.
The Arizona Constitution has rules for what happens when a governor leaves office early. If the Secretary of State was elected to their position, they are next in line to become governor. Bolin was the second Secretary of State to become governor in Arizona's history. The first was Dan Edward Garvey in 1948. In 1977, the State Bar of Arizona gave Bolin their first Liberty Bell Award. This award recognized his important role as the keeper of the state's laws.
Death and Legacy
Wesley Bolin passed away at home from a heart attack on March 4, 1978. He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in different places. Some were scattered in each of Arizona's 14 counties.
After Bolin's death, Bruce Babbitt became the new governor. Rose Mofford had been appointed by Bolin to finish his term as Secretary of State. However, she could not become governor because she had not been elected to her position. Bruce Babbitt was the state's Attorney General at the time. Since he was an elected official, he was next in line. He finished the remaining nine months of Bolin's term. Later, Babbitt was elected governor two more times on his own.
The Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix, Arizona, is named after him. This plaza is near the state capitol building. It has been named a "Phoenix Point of Pride." This means it is an important and special place in the city.
Images for kids
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A view of the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
