Jack M. Campbell
Encyclopedia
John "Jack" M. Campbell was the 21st Governor of New Mexico, from January 1, 1963 until January 1, 1967.
Campbell was born in Hutchinson
, Reno County
, Kansas
, and educated at Washburn University
, where he received an undergraduate degree
in 1938 and an LL.B degree in 1940.
During World War II
, Campbell served in the United States Marine Corps
, moving on afterward to a legal career in Albuquerque, New Mexico
, while at the same time, working as an agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation
.
In 1955, Campbell began his career in politics when he was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives
, where he served until 1962, after having spent the last two years as Speaker.
In 1962, he was the Democratic
nominee for governor and defeated incumbent Edwin L. Mechem
130,933 to 116,184. Two years later, in 1964, he became the first New Mexico governor in 12 years to win reelection.
In office, Campbell supported programs to aid the mentally ill, and appointed the first state science adviser. In 1963 he called for an overhaul in the New Mexico Constitution
and convinced the legislature to create a Constitutional Revision Commission, which eventually led to the 1969 New Mexico Constitutional Convention.
After leaving office, he served on the Federal Atomic Safety and Licensing Board and was president of the Federation of Rocky Mountain States, an educational foundation.
He died in Santa Fe in 1999.
Campbell was born in Hutchinson
Hutchinson, Kansas
Hutchinson is the largest city in and the county seat of Reno County, Kansas, United States, northwest of Wichita, on the Arkansas River. It has been home to salt mines since 1887, thus its nickname of "Salt City", but locals call it "Hutch"...
, Reno County
Reno County, Kansas
Reno County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county's population was 64,511 for the 2010 census. The largest city and county seat is Hutchinson. The Hutchinson Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Reno County.-19th century:In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, and educated at Washburn University
Washburn University
Washburn University is a co-educational, public institution of higher learning in Topeka, Kansas, USA. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and business. Washburn has 550 faculty members, who teach more than 6,400 undergraduate students and...
, where he received an undergraduate degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in 1938 and an LL.B degree in 1940.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Campbell served in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, moving on afterward to a legal career in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
, while at the same time, working as an agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
.
In 1955, Campbell began his career in politics when he was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives
New Mexico House of Representatives
The New Mexico House of Representatives is the lower house of the New Mexico State Legislature.There are 70 members of the House. Each member represents roughly 25,980 residents of New Mexico.The Speaker of the House is Ben Luján .-Composition:...
, where he served until 1962, after having spent the last two years as Speaker.
In 1962, he was the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nominee for governor and defeated incumbent Edwin L. Mechem
Edwin L. Mechem
Edwin Leard Mechem was a prominent Republican politician from New Mexico. He served as the 15th, 17th and 19th Governor of New Mexico and represented the state in the United States Senate...
130,933 to 116,184. Two years later, in 1964, he became the first New Mexico governor in 12 years to win reelection.
In office, Campbell supported programs to aid the mentally ill, and appointed the first state science adviser. In 1963 he called for an overhaul in the New Mexico Constitution
Constitution of the State of New Mexico
The Constitution of the State of New Mexico is the document governing the political framework of this U.S. state. Article II contains a bill of rights...
and convinced the legislature to create a Constitutional Revision Commission, which eventually led to the 1969 New Mexico Constitutional Convention.
After leaving office, he served on the Federal Atomic Safety and Licensing Board and was president of the Federation of Rocky Mountain States, an educational foundation.
He died in Santa Fe in 1999.