Gerald L. Baliles

Gerald L. Baliles (2006)

Gerald Lee Baliles (born July 8, 1940 in Patrick County , Virginia - † October 29, 2019 in Roanoke , Virginia) was an American politician . He was governor of the state of Virginia from 1986 to 1990 .

Early years

Gerald Baliles attended the Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro . He later studied at Wesleyan University . After attending law school at the University of Virginia Law School and admission to the bar, he began practicing law for the Virginia Department of Justice. There he specialized in environmental law. After that, he began practicing as a private lawyer.

Political advancement and governor of Virginia

Gerald Baliles became a member of the Democratic Party . He was elected to the Virginia House of Representatives and was subsequently Attorney General of his state. In 1985 he was elected as his party's candidate for new governor. After this election victory, Gerald Baliles was able to exercise his office between January 18, 1986 and January 14, 1990. Since the state constitution of Virginia forbids direct re-election of a governor, he could not run again in 1989. As governor, he appointed Elizabeth B. Lacy, the first woman to serve as a judge in his state's Supreme Court.

One focus of his governorship was improving the infrastructure in the state of Virginia. In this context, roads, sea ports and airports were expanded. This also made the transport of goods easier and cheaper. Baliles also led a campaign against illiteracy and had educational programs developed to counteract it. Baliles also campaigned for environmental protection, especially against the pollution of the Chesapeake Bay . The governor was a member of numerous organizations and governors' associations. At the end of his tenure, he was very popular in Virginia. He used his popularity to support his Lieutenant Governor Douglas Wilder , who successfully ran for Baliles' successor in 1989.

Another résumé

After his governorship ended, he became a partner in the Hunton & Williams law firm in Richmond . He was a member of many legal associations. Later he was director of the Miller Center of Public Affairs , founded in 1975 , a political research institute at the University of Virginia. He had two children with his wife, Jeannie P. Baliles. The couple lived in Charlottesville .

Web links

Commons : Gerald Baliles  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

• Gerald L. Baliles in the National Governors Association (English)