John Moren Campbell (September 10, 1916 – June 14, 1999) was an American politician who served as the 21st governor of New Mexico from January 1, 1963 until January 1, 1967.

Early life and education

Campbell was born in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, and educated at Washburn University, where he received an undergraduate degree in 1938 and an LL.B degree in 1940.

Career

During World War II, Campbell served in the United States Marine Corps. After the war, he established a legal practice in

Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque ( ; ), ; kee, Arawageeki; tow, Vakêêke; zun, Alo:ke:k'ya; apj, Gołgéeki'yé. abbreviated ABQ, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its nicknames, The Duke City and Burque, both reference its founding in ...

, while working as an agent for the

Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, t ...

. In 1955, Campbell began his career in politics when he was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives, where he served until 1962, after having spent the last two years as Speaker. In 1962, he was the

Democratic Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

nominee for governor and defeated incumbent

Edwin L. Mechem Edwin Leard Mechem (July 2, 1912 – November 27, 2002) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist from New Mexico. He served as the 15th, 17th, and 19th governor of New Mexico, the first person born in the 20th century to become the state' ...

130,933 to 116,184. Two years later, in 1964, he became the first New Mexico governor in 12 years to win re-election. In office, Campbell supported programs to aid the mentally ill, and appointed the first state science adviser. In 1963 he called for an overhaul in the

New Mexico Constitution The Constitution of the State of New Mexico ( es, Constitución del Estado de Nuevo México) is the document governing the political framework of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It was adopted by Constitutional Convention on November 21, 1910, ratifi ...

and convinced the legislature to create a Constitutional Revision Commission, which eventually led to the 1969 New Mexico Constitutional Convention.Garcia, F. Chris; Hain, Paul L.; St. Clair, Gilbert K. And Seckler, Kim (editors) (2006) ''Governing New Mexico'' University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, pages 32-33, After leaving office, he served on the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board.

Death

Campbell died in

Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe ( ; , Spanish for 'Holy Faith'; tew, Oghá P'o'oge, Tewa for 'white shell water place'; tiw, Hulp'ó'ona, label=Tiwa language, Northern Tiwa; nv, Yootó, Navajo for 'bead + water place') is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. ...

in 1999.

References

External links

National Governors Association profile
* Meeting with President John F. Kennedy in the

Oval Office The Oval Office is the formal working space of the President of the United States. Part of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, it is located in the West Wing of the White House, in Washington, D.C. The oval-shaped room ...

, May 23, 1963: http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/JFKWHP-AR7936-A.aspx 1916 births 1999 deaths United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II Democratic Party governors of New Mexico Speakers of the New Mexico House of Representatives Democratic Party members of the New Mexico House of Representatives Federal Bureau of Investigation agents Washburn University alumni Politicians from Hutchinson, Kansas 20th-century American lawyers 20th-century American politicians {{NewMexico-politician-stub