James B. Longley

James Bernard Longley (born April 22, 1924 in Lewiston , Maine ; † August 16, 1980 ibid) was an American politician and governor of the state of Maine from 1975 to 1979 .

Early years and political advancement

James Longley grew up in Lewiston and remained a citizen of that parish his entire life. He attended Bowdoin College until 1947 , then until 1954 at the American College of Life Underwriters , where he studied insurance. He then studied law at the University of Maine until 1957 . After graduating, he was admitted to the bar. Subsequently, he worked in the insurance industry and as a lawyer. He did not belong to any political party and ran in 1974 as an independent candidate for the office of governor of Maine, into which he was then also elected. With 39.1 percent of the vote, he prevailed over the Democrat George J. Mitchell (36.3 percent) and the Republican James S. Erwin (23.1 percent).

Governor of Maine

James Longley began his four-year term on January 2, 1975. He was the first politically independent governor of that state. As governor, he refused to sign any law that he himself was not entirely convinced of. As a result of this attitude, Longley has vetoed bills more than any other Maine governor before him.

Soon after his tenure ended on January 3, 1979, James Longley fell ill with cancer, which he succumbed to on August 16, 1980. He was buried in his hometown of Lewiston. Longley was married to Helen Angela Walsh, with whom he had five children. A son is the temporary Republican Congressman James B. Longley junior .

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personal data
SURNAME	Longley, James B.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Longley, James Bernard
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	April 22, 1924
PLACE OF BIRTH	Lewiston , Maine
DATE OF DEATH	August 16, 1980
Place of death	Lewiston , Maine