Career
Having begun practicing law in Washington, D.C., Smylie left his practice in 1942 to join the United States Coast Guard as a lawyer and was stationed in Philadelphia and the Philippines during World War II. He returned to his private practice in 1946.
In November 1947 Smylie was appointed Idaho attorney general by Governor C. A. Robins to fill a vacancy. Elected to a full term in 1950, he served to 1954.
Smylie was elected governor in 1954 and re-elected in 1958 and 1962. He is the only person in Idaho history to win three consecutive four-year terms as governor. Smylie was the first Governor of Idaho born in the 20th century. During his tenure, a state park system was created and a sales tax adopted. While governor, Smylie served as chair of the Western Governors Association (1959–1961). He also served as chair of the Republican Governors Association. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1960. He served on the National Governor's Conference Executive Committee from 1956 to 1957, from 1959 to 1960, and in 1963.
Smylie ran for reelection in 1966, but was defeated in the Republican primary by Don Samuelson. Afterwards he returned to the practice of law. He served as Trustee, Chair of Trustees, and as acting President of the College of Idaho.
Read more about this topic: Robert E. Smylie
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