Wesley Bolin
Encyclopedia
Wesley Bolin was a Democratic Party
politician who served as the 15th governor of the U.S. state
of Arizona
between 1977 and 1978. His five months in office mark the shortest term in office for any Arizona governor.
Born on a farm near Butler, Missouri
, Bolin moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona
, at age six (6). He worked with several business firms in the Salt River Valley
before being elected constable of West Phoenix Precinct in 1938. From 1943 until 1948, Bolin was justice of the peace of the West Phoenix Precinct court.
He served over 28 years as Arizonan Secretary of State (13 consecutive terms).
He succeeded to the governorship after the previous governor, Raul Hector Castro
, was named ambassador
to Argentina
by President Jimmy Carter
. Under Arizonan law, the Secretary of State was first in line to fill a vacancy in the governor's office. Bolin was Secretary of State for Arizona from 1949 until he assumed the office of Governor, and remains the longest-serving Secretary of State in Arizonan history.
Bolin died in office at the age of 68 in 1978 and was succeeded by Bruce Babbitt
. The Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
near the capitol in Phoenix
, Arizona
, was named after him, and has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride
.
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...
politician who served as the 15th governor 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 Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
between 1977 and 1978. His five months in office mark the shortest term in office for any Arizona governor.
Born on a farm near Butler, Missouri
Butler, Missouri
Butler is a city in Bates County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,209 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bates County.Butler was the first city west of the Mississippi River to have electricity.-Geography:...
, Bolin moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, at age six (6). He worked with several business firms in the Salt River Valley
Salt River Valley
The Salt River Valley defines an extensive valley on the Salt River in central Arizona, which contains the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.Although this geographic term still identifies the area, the name "Valley of the Sun" popularly replaced the usage starting in the early 1930s for purposes of...
before being elected constable of West Phoenix Precinct in 1938. From 1943 until 1948, Bolin was justice of the peace of the West Phoenix Precinct court.
He served over 28 years as Arizonan Secretary of State (13 consecutive terms).
He succeeded to the governorship after the previous governor, Raul Hector Castro
Raúl Héctor Castro
Raul Hector Castro is a Mexican-born American politician. He has served in both elected and non-elected public offices, including United States Ambassador and the 14th Governor of Arizona. He was the first Mexican American to be elected governor of Arizona...
, was named ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
by President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
. Under Arizonan law, the Secretary of State was first in line to fill a vacancy in the governor's office. Bolin was Secretary of State for Arizona from 1949 until he assumed the office of Governor, and remains the longest-serving Secretary of State in Arizonan history.
Bolin died in office at the age of 68 in 1978 and was succeeded by Bruce Babbitt
Bruce Babbitt
Bruce Edward Babbitt , a Democrat, served as United States Secretary of the Interior and as the 16th governor of Arizona, from 1978 to 1987.-Biography:...
. The Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
The Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza is an urban park and gathering place, located in front of the Arizona state capitol complex in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It serves as a home to a number of memorials honoring prominent figures in Arizona history as well as memorializing significant wars and other...
near the capitol in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, was named after him, and has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride
Phoenix Points of Pride
The Phoenix Points of Pride are 33 landmarks and attractions within the Phoenix, Arizona, city limits that are claimed to represent the best features of the city for both residents and visitors...
.