Governorship
The unexpected death of Governor Paul L. Patterson on January 31, 1956 elevated Senate President Elmo Smith to fill out the remainder of his term. Upon assuming office, Smith found himself running the state and a campaign for the 1958 gubernatorial election.
His administration successfully raised spending on Public Education, formed a commission on aging, and joined a tri-state water-power consortium. He managed the state's finances in a fiscally conservative manner.
Governor Smith also helped create the Water Resources Board, the agency that today manages and regulates Oregon's water resources.
While winning the Republican nomination for governor, Smith was defeated in his attempt to win the governorship in his own right. Robert D. Holmes, his Democratic challenger, managed to win a narrow victory in the 1957 gubernatorial race.
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