Allie Edward Stokes Stephens

Allie Edward Stokes Stephens (born June 4, 1900 in Wicomico Church , Northumberland County , Virginia , † June 9, 1973 in Newport News , Virginia) was an American politician . Between 1952 and 1962 he was lieutenant governor of the state of Virginia.

Career

Allie Stephens attended public schools in his home country. In 1918 he graduated from Wicomico Church High School . After a subsequent law degree at the College of William & Mary and his admission to the bar in 1923, he began to work in the Isle of Wight County in this profession. At the same time he embarked on a political career as a member of the Democratic Party . Between 1929 and 1941 he was a member of the Virginia House of Representatives ; from 1941 and 1952 he was a member of the State Senate .

After the death of Lieutenant Governor Lewis Preston Collins , Stephens was elected to succeed him. He held this office after two re-elections between 1952 and 1962. He was Deputy Governors John S. Battle , Thomas Bahnson Stanley and James Lindsay Almond . He was also chairman of the state senate. In 1961 he unsuccessfully sought his party's nomination for the office of governor. Until the late 1950s, Stephens belonged within his party to the conservative Byrd Organization , which opposed racial integration. At the end of the decade, he distanced himself from this faction, which contributed to his defeat in the gubernatorial primaries, as the Byrd group had strong support in the party at the time.

After serving as Lieutenant Governor, Stephens withdrew from politics. He was a member of several organizations and associations and died on June 9, 1973 in Newport News .

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personal data
SURNAME	Stephens, Allie Edward Stokes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	June 4th 1900
PLACE OF BIRTH	Wicomico Church , Virginia
DATE OF DEATH	June 9, 1973
Place of death	Newport News , Virginia