Difference between revisions of "George Aiken"
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After incumbent Republican senator Ernest W. Gibson died in office on June 20, 1940, Gov. Aiken appointed Gibson's son as an interm to the seat. After the younger Gibson decided against running in the [[special election]] that year, Aiken ran and easily won by over twenty percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=223197 VT US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1940]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 5, 2021.</ref> Aiken continued to be re-elected before retiring in the 1974 midterms.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=7383 Candidate - George D. Aiken]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 5, 2021.</ref> | After incumbent Republican senator Ernest W. Gibson died in office on June 20, 1940, Gov. Aiken appointed Gibson's son as an interm to the seat. After the younger Gibson decided against running in the [[special election]] that year, Aiken ran and easily won by over twenty percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=223197 VT US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1940]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 5, 2021.</ref> Aiken continued to be re-elected before retiring in the 1974 midterms.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=7383 Candidate - George D. Aiken]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 5, 2021.</ref> | ||
| − | Part of the [[Moderate Republican]] wing of the GOP, Aiken was liberal on a number of issues and, along with his more conservative colleague Ralph Flanders, voted for the censure of [[Joseph McCarthy]],<ref name=wapo/><ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/83-1954/s271 S. RES. 301. PASSAGE.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved June 5, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.upi.com/Archives/1954/12/02/Censured-McCarthy-plans-new-investigation/4424680116219/ Censured McCarthy plans new investigation]. ''UPI''. Retrieved June 5, 2021.</ref> who had exposed [[communist]] infiltration of the U.S. government. | + | Part of the [[Moderate Republican]] wing of the GOP, Aiken was liberal on a number of issues and, along with his more conservative colleague Ralph Flanders, voted for the censure of [[Joseph McCarthy]],<ref name=wapo/><ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/83-1954/s271 S. RES. 301. PASSAGE.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved June 5, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.upi.com/Archives/1954/12/02/Censured-McCarthy-plans-new-investigation/4424680116219/ Censured McCarthy plans new investigation]. ''UPI''. Retrieved June 5, 2021.</ref> who had exposed [[communist]] infiltration of the U.S. government. Aiken also supported rural electrification programs and price supports to aid farmers.<ref name=wapo/> |
Aiken opposed U.S. involvement in the [[Vietnam War]], saying in 1966:<ref name=wapo/> | Aiken opposed U.S. involvement in the [[Vietnam War]], saying in 1966:<ref name=wapo/> | ||
Revision as of 16:06, June 5, 2021
| George D. Aiken | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Former U.S. Senator from Vermont From: January 10, 1941 – January 3, 1975 | |||
| Predecessor | Ernest W. Gibson, Jr. | ||
| Successor | Patrick Leahy | ||
| Former Governor of Vermont From: January 7, 1937 – January 9, 1941 | |||
| Lieutenant | William H. Wills | ||
| Predecessor | Charles Manley Smith | ||
| Successor | William H. Wills | ||
| Former Lieutenant Governor of Vermont From: January 9, 1935 – January 6, 1937 | |||
| Governor | Charles Manley Smith | ||
| Predecessor | Charles Manley Smith | ||
| Successor | William H. Wills | ||
| Former Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives From: January 4, 1933 – January 8, 1935 | |||
| Predecessor | Edward H. Deavitt | ||
| Successor | Ernest E. Moore | ||
| Former State Representative from Vermont From: January 7, 1931 – January 7, 1935 | |||
| Predecessor | Robert Goodyear Loomis | ||
| Successor | William Hinds Darrow | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Republican | ||
| Spouse(s) | Beatrice Howard (died 1966) Lola Pierotti | ||
George David Aiken (August 20, 1892 – November 19, 1984) was a farmer, horticulturist,[1] and Moderate Republican from Vermont who served as the state's lieutenant governor, governor and U.S. senator from the 1930s to the 1970s. He previously represented the town of Putney in the state legislature.
Throughout his long political career, Aiken championed rural interests.[2]
U.S. Senate
After incumbent Republican senator Ernest W. Gibson died in office on June 20, 1940, Gov. Aiken appointed Gibson's son as an interm to the seat. After the younger Gibson decided against running in the special election that year, Aiken ran and easily won by over twenty percentage points.[3] Aiken continued to be re-elected before retiring in the 1974 midterms.[4]
Part of the Moderate Republican wing of the GOP, Aiken was liberal on a number of issues and, along with his more conservative colleague Ralph Flanders, voted for the censure of Joseph McCarthy,[2][5][6] who had exposed communist infiltration of the U.S. government. Aiken also supported rural electrification programs and price supports to aid farmers.[2]
Aiken opposed U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, saying in 1966:[2]
| “ | The United States should declare victory and get out. | ” |
According to a GovTrack ranking in 1974, Aiken overall held a moderately liberal voting record.[7]
References
- ↑ New Bio Explores Life of Sen. George Aiken. The University of Vermont. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Smith, J.Y. (November 20, 1984). Ex-Senator George Aiken, 92. Washington Post. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ↑ VT US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1940. Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ↑ Candidate - George D. Aiken. Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ↑ S. RES. 301. PASSAGE.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ↑ Censured McCarthy plans new investigation. UPI. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ↑ Sen. George Aiken. GovTrack.us. Retrieved June 5, 2021.