Thomas Dewey

Thomas Edmund Dewey (March 24, 1902 – March 16, 1971) was the Governor of New York (1943-1955) and the Republican candidate for the U.S. Presidency in two elections (1944 and 1948), losing both times. He was the first presidential candidate born in the twentieth century.

Governorship of New York

In 1938, at the age of 36, Dewey first ran unsuccessfully for Governor of New York on his record as a criminal prosecutor. His relatively strong showing against incumbent Governor Herbert Lehman, FDR's successor, meant that Dewey's career was not greatly damaged by this defeat. He was successful in his second attempt at the office in 1942 and was reelected in 1946 in a landslide, followed by reelection in 1950.

Related Topics:
1938 - Herbert Lehman - FDR - 1942 - 1946 - 1950

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He was regarded as an honest and efficient governor. He cut taxes, doubled state aid to education, increased salaries for state employees, and reduced the state's debt by over $100 million. Additionally, he put through the first state law in the country which prohibited racial discrimination in employment. As governor, Dewey also signed legislation that created the State University of New York.

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