Governor of Michigan
On November 2, 1948, Williams was elected Governor of Michigan, defeating Governor Kim Sigler, with the support of labor unions and dissident Republicans. He was subsequently elected to a record six two-year terms in that post. His most enduring accomplishment was probably the construction of the Mackinac Bridge, and he began the tradition of the governor leading the Mackinac Bridge Walk across it every Labor Day. He also appeared on the cover of Time's September 15, 1952, issue, sporting his signature green bow tie with white polka dots. Frederick E. Tripp was his legislative adviser.
He was also famous for refusing to extradite Haywood Patterson, one of the Scottsboro Boys a prison escapee who was incarcerated, upon shaky testimony, for the rape of two white women.
Also during his twelve years in office, a farm-marketing program was sanctioned, teachers' salaries, school facilities and educational programs were improved and there were also commissions formed to research problems related to aging, sex offenders and adolescence behavior. He was also a delegate from Michigan to Democratic National Convention, in 1952 and 1956, in both years nominated Adlai Stevenson for U.S. President, who was unsuccessful against General Dwight Eisenhower in both general elections. He returned as a delegate to the 1960 convention, which nominated John F. Kennedy, who was successful against Vice President Richard Nixon.
His final term in office was marked by high-profile struggles with the Republican-controlled state legislature and a near-shutdown of the state government. He therefore chose not to seek reelection in 1960. Williams left office on January 1, 1961, his 12 years in office ultimately surpassed only by William Milliken (who served 14 years as governor).
Read more about this topic: G. Mennen Williams
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