Roger D. Branigin
Encyclopedia
Roger Douglas Branigin was the 42nd Governor
of the U.S. state
of Indiana
from January 11, 1965 to January 13, 1969. A veteran of World War II
, and well known public speaker, Branigin took office with a Democratic General Assembly—the first time since the Great Depression
that Democrats controlled both the executive and legislative branches of the state government. Branigin was a conservative Democrat who oversaw the repeal of the state's personal property taxes, greater accessibility to secondary education, and the construction of Indiana's deep water harbor on Lake Michigan
. During his term, Branigin exercised his veto power one hundred times, a record number for a single term. In 1968, he ran as a favorite son presidential candidate for Lyndon B. Johnson
in the 1968 Indiana Democratic presidential primary, but after Johnson dropped out of the race Branigin continued his campaign in order to control the state's votes at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. He lost the primary to Robert Kennedy, earning 31 percent of the vote to Kennedy's 42 percent and Eugene McCarthy's 27 percent. After his term ended, Branigin returned to his private law practice. In his later years he became a leader among the state Boy Scouts
and served on the board of the Indiana Historical Society
, Purdue University
, and Franklin College. Branigin was the last Democrat to serve as governor of Indiana until Evan Bayh
took office in 1989.
, the third of the four sons of Elba and Zula Branigin, schoolteachers. Branigin attended local public schools, graduating from high school in 1919. He then attended nearby Franklin College where he majored in Spanish, French, and history, and was also involved in the school's drama club. He graduated in 1923. He then enrolled in Harvard Law School
where he graduated with a law degree in 1926. After returning to Indiana he took a job with the Franklin County prosecutor helping out on cases for three years. He married fellow Franklin College graduate Josephine Mardis on November 2, 1929; the couple had two sons, Roger Jr. and Robert.
In 1930 Branigin took a job as attorney for the Federal Land Bank and the Farm Credit Administration in Louisville, Kentucky
. He was soon promoted to general counsel for the Land Bank and was given the task of traveling around the region to give speeches. In 1938, he retired from the bank to become a member of a law firm in Lafayette, Indiana
, he soon earned a partnership in a law practice of Stuart, Branigin, Ricks, and Schilling. After the outbreak of World War II
, Branigin enlisted in the United States Army
. He was quickly assigned to the contract division of the Judge Advocate General
's Office in Washington D.C. where he later became head of the legal division of the army's transportation corps. After the war ended, he returned to Indiana.
Branigin was active in local and state politics, and was a popular after-dinner speaker. He chaired the Democratic state convention in 1948. The Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Henry F. Schricker
, won the election that year, and Branigin was appointed by Schricker to serve as chairman of the state conservation commission. He also served as president of the Indiana Bar Association. In 1956, Branigin's name was entered as a candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, but was defeated in the state convention vote by Ralph Tucker.
that allowed the passage of a major increase in the sales tax, property tax, income tax, and certain excise taxes. Branigin attacked Ristine on his tax-raising record. Branigin earned an endorsement from the traditionally Republican Indianapolis Star, and several other state newspapers, helping him win the election. Democrats also swept into power statewide, taking control of the Indiana General Assembly
for the first time since 1938.
Once in office, Branigin proved to be more conservative than the leadership in the General Assembly. He vetoed a record one hundred bills, including an abortion legalization bill, a ban on the death penalty, and union protection laws. Despite his disagreement on a host of issues with the Assembly, Branigin was able to have a number of his agenda items passed into law. He successfully advocated the expansion of state-funded scholarships, an expansion of the state's civil rights commission's powers, upgrades for the state prison system, expansion of the state highway system, the abolition of the poll tax
, and the creation of a number of new public parks and nature preserves. The Port of Indiana
, the state's first deep-water harbor on Lake Michigan, also started during his term. He also oversaw the repeal of the personal property tax.
In early March 1968, Branigin was asked by President Lyndon Johnson to run as a favorite-son candidate in the Indiana Democratic presidential primary. Branigin agreed, and campaigned earnestly as a Hoosier candidate representing Hoosiers. On March 31, however, Johnson announced he would drop out of the race. Branigin decided to continue his campaign, seeking to earn control of the state's votes at the Democratic convention in Chicago later that summer. Despite a hard-fought campaign and early leads in the polls, Branigin lost the election to Robert Kennedy.
, and a board member of Franklin College, Purdue University
, and the Indiana Historical Society
. He died in Lafayette on November 19, 1975 and was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in his hometown of Franklin. In the 1990s, the Branigin Bridge—a state highway bridge in Tippecanoe County—was named in his honor. During his lifetime he had amassed a large library which he left to Franklin College in his will.
Governor of Indiana
The Governor of Indiana is the chief executive of the state of Indiana. The governor is elected to a four-year term, and responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the functions of many agencies of the Indiana state government. The governor also shares power with other statewide...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
from January 11, 1965 to January 13, 1969. A veteran of 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...
, and well known public speaker, Branigin took office with a Democratic General Assembly—the first time since the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
that Democrats controlled both the executive and legislative branches of the state government. Branigin was a conservative Democrat who oversaw the repeal of the state's personal property taxes, greater accessibility to secondary education, and the construction of Indiana's deep water harbor on Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
. During his term, Branigin exercised his veto power one hundred times, a record number for a single term. In 1968, he ran as a favorite son presidential candidate for Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
in the 1968 Indiana Democratic presidential primary, but after Johnson dropped out of the race Branigin continued his campaign in order to control the state's votes at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. He lost the primary to Robert Kennedy, earning 31 percent of the vote to Kennedy's 42 percent and Eugene McCarthy's 27 percent. After his term ended, Branigin returned to his private law practice. In his later years he became a leader among the state Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
and served on the board of the Indiana Historical Society
Indiana Historical Society
The Indiana Historical Society is one of the United States' oldest and largest historical societies and describes itself as "Indiana's Storyteller". Housed within the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, it is located at 450 West Ohio St...
, Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
, and Franklin College. Branigin was the last Democrat to serve as governor of Indiana until Evan Bayh
Evan Bayh
Birch Evans "Evan" Bayh III is a lawyer, advisor and former Democratic politician who served as the junior U.S. Senator from Indiana from 1999 to 2011. He earlier served as the 46th Governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1997. Bayh is a current Fox News contributor as of March 14, 2011.Bayh first held...
took office in 1989.
Early life
Roger Branigin was born on July 26, 1902 in Franklin, IndianaFranklin, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,463 people, 6,824 households, and 4,872 families residing in the city. The population increased by more than 50% during the 1990s , with new residents attracted by jobs in the community, as well as some people commuting to Indianapolis for work. The...
, the third of the four sons of Elba and Zula Branigin, schoolteachers. Branigin attended local public schools, graduating from high school in 1919. He then attended nearby Franklin College where he majored in Spanish, French, and history, and was also involved in the school's drama club. He graduated in 1923. He then enrolled in Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
where he graduated with a law degree in 1926. After returning to Indiana he took a job with the Franklin County prosecutor helping out on cases for three years. He married fellow Franklin College graduate Josephine Mardis on November 2, 1929; the couple had two sons, Roger Jr. and Robert.
In 1930 Branigin took a job as attorney for the Federal Land Bank and the Farm Credit Administration in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. He was soon promoted to general counsel for the Land Bank and was given the task of traveling around the region to give speeches. In 1938, he retired from the bank to become a member of a law firm in Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette is a city in and the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, northwest of Indianapolis. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 67,140. West Lafayette, on the other side of the Wabash River, is home to Purdue University, which has a large impact on...
, he soon earned a partnership in a law practice of Stuart, Branigin, Ricks, and Schilling. After the outbreak of 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...
, Branigin enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He was quickly assigned to the contract division of the Judge Advocate General
Judge Advocate General's Corps
Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, refers to the legal branch or specialty of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy. Officers serving in the JAG Corps are typically called Judge Advocates. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard do not maintain separate JAG Corps...
's Office in Washington D.C. where he later became head of the legal division of the army's transportation corps. After the war ended, he returned to Indiana.
Branigin was active in local and state politics, and was a popular after-dinner speaker. He chaired the Democratic state convention in 1948. The Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Henry F. Schricker
Henry F. Schricker
Henry Frederick Schricker was the 36th and 38th Governor of the American state of Indiana from 1941 to 1945 and from 1949 to 1953. He is the only Indiana governor elected to two non-consecutive terms, and the only governor between 1852 and 1977 to be elected to more than one term in office...
, won the election that year, and Branigin was appointed by Schricker to serve as chairman of the state conservation commission. He also served as president of the Indiana Bar Association. In 1956, Branigin's name was entered as a candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, but was defeated in the state convention vote by Ralph Tucker.
Governor
At the state convention in June 1964, Branigin had his name entered again for the gubernatorial nomination, and won on the first ballot. His Republican opponent was incumbent Lieutenant Governor Richard O. Ristine. During his term, Ristine had cast a tie-breaking vote in the Indiana SenateIndiana Senate
The Indiana Senate is the upper house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The Senate is composed of 50 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. Senators serve four-year terms without term limits...
that allowed the passage of a major increase in the sales tax, property tax, income tax, and certain excise taxes. Branigin attacked Ristine on his tax-raising record. Branigin earned an endorsement from the traditionally Republican Indianapolis Star, and several other state newspapers, helping him win the election. Democrats also swept into power statewide, taking control of the Indiana General Assembly
Indiana General Assembly
The Indiana General Assembly is the state legislature, or legislative branch, of the state of Indiana. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the Indiana House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Indiana Senate...
for the first time since 1938.
Once in office, Branigin proved to be more conservative than the leadership in the General Assembly. He vetoed a record one hundred bills, including an abortion legalization bill, a ban on the death penalty, and union protection laws. Despite his disagreement on a host of issues with the Assembly, Branigin was able to have a number of his agenda items passed into law. He successfully advocated the expansion of state-funded scholarships, an expansion of the state's civil rights commission's powers, upgrades for the state prison system, expansion of the state highway system, the abolition of the poll tax
Poll tax
A poll tax is a tax of a portioned, fixed amount per individual in accordance with the census . When a corvée is commuted for cash payment, in effect it becomes a poll tax...
, and the creation of a number of new public parks and nature preserves. The Port of Indiana
Port of Indiana
The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor is an industrial area, founded in 1965 and located on the Lake Michigan shore of Indiana at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Indiana 249. The primary work done in the area is the manufacturing of steel, and the port area is dominated by steel mills...
, the state's first deep-water harbor on Lake Michigan, also started during his term. He also oversaw the repeal of the personal property tax.
In early March 1968, Branigin was asked by President Lyndon Johnson to run as a favorite-son candidate in the Indiana Democratic presidential primary. Branigin agreed, and campaigned earnestly as a Hoosier candidate representing Hoosiers. On March 31, however, Johnson announced he would drop out of the race. Branigin decided to continue his campaign, seeking to earn control of the state's votes at the Democratic convention in Chicago later that summer. Despite a hard-fought campaign and early leads in the polls, Branigin lost the election to Robert Kennedy.
Later life
After leaving office, Branigin returned to his Lafayette law firm. In his later years he served as president of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, the Harrison Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
, and a board member of Franklin College, Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
, and the Indiana Historical Society
Indiana Historical Society
The Indiana Historical Society is one of the United States' oldest and largest historical societies and describes itself as "Indiana's Storyteller". Housed within the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, it is located at 450 West Ohio St...
. He died in Lafayette on November 19, 1975 and was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in his hometown of Franklin. In the 1990s, the Branigin Bridge—a state highway bridge in Tippecanoe County—was named in his honor. During his lifetime he had amassed a large library which he left to Franklin College in his will.