Philip Henderson Hoff (June 29, 1924 – April 26, 2018) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Vermont. He was most notable for his service as the 73rd Governor of Vermont from 1963 to 1969, the first Democrat elected governor in 108 years, and only the second ever.
Philip H. Hoff | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 73rd Governor of Vermont | |
| In office January 10, 1963 – January 9, 1969 | |
| Lieutenant | Ralph Foote John Daley |
| Preceded by | Ray Keyser |
| Succeeded by | Deane Davis |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
| In office 1961–1963 | |
| Member of the Vermont Senate | |
| In office 1983–1989 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Philip Henderson Hoff June 29, 1924 Turners Falls, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | April 26, 2018 (aged 93) Shelburne, Vermont, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Joan Brower |
| Alma mater | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Life and career
Hoff was born in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, the son of Agnes (Henderson) and Olaf Hoff, Jr.[1] His father worked in the insurance industry and served two terms in the Massachusetts General Court. Philip was a star high school football player, scoring the winning touchdown in Turners Falls High School's 1942 annual game against rival Greenfield High School.[2]
Hoff attended Williams College, where he studied English, but postponed graduation for two years in order to serve in World War II.[2] He saw combat action during World War II aboard the submarine, USS Sea Dog, which took part in combat patrols throughout the Pacific Ocean theater.[3] Hoff met his wife, Joan Brower, during his naval service and they were married in 1948.[4] He later attended Cornell Law School, graduating in 1951.[2] The Hoffs moved to Burlington, Vermont, in 1951.[2] Hoff began a law practice, and also became involved in local politics as a Democrat.[5]
Career
Hoff was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1960,[6] and in 1962, was elected Vermont's first Democratic governor since 1854 by virtue of his energetic campaign and the popularity of President John F. Kennedy. He was reelected in 1964 and 1966 and pioneered unprecedented environmental, development, and social welfare programs, including the creation of the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women.[7] Concerned about racial justice, he joined with New York Mayor John Lindsay to co-found the Vermont-New York Youth Project, which brought minority students from the city together with Vermont students to work on joint summer projects at several Vermont colleges.[8] According to the Boston Globe, the program, which temporarily doubled Vermont's black population, "uncovered some latent bigotry that had not been visible before."[8] The poll tax was eliminated during his tenure as governor, and the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, Legal Aid and Vermont Public Television were established.[9]
Hoff was the first Democratic Governor in the nation to split with President Lyndon Johnson over the Vietnam War and later campaigned across the country to promote Robert Kennedy's effort to obtain the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination.[5] After Kennedy's assassination, Hoff endorsed Eugene McCarthy.[5] Democrats who opposed Johnson came close to nominating Hoff as a candidate for Vice President at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, but after some initial enthusiasm, Hoff declined to put his name forward.[10]
Hoff's endorsement of Kennedy and later McCarthy upset conservative Democrats and Hoff was also criticized for increases in state spending which some claimed led to hefty deficits.[11] In 1970, Hoff challenged incumbent U.S. Senator Winston L. Prouty, but Prouty easily won reelection.[11] During the campaign, Hoff announced that he had battled alcoholism in the past.[12] Had he won, Hoff would have been the first Democratic senator in Vermont history.[11]
In the 1980s he returned to elective politics, serving three terms in the Vermont State Senate (1983-1989).[11] He also served in various advisory and honorary positions and as President of the Board of Trustees at Vermont Law School as well as continuing his work as a lawyer in private practice.[5] In 1989, he co-founded the law firm of Hoff, Curtis.[11]
Death
Hoff died on April 26, 2018, at The Residence at Shelburne Bay, a Shelburne, Vermont independent and assisted living facility where he had resided in his final years.[5]
Legacy
Hoff was the subject of a biography, 2011's Philip Hoff: How Red Turned Blue in the Green Mountain State by Samuel B. Hand, Anthony Marro, and Stephen C. Terry.[13]
In 2012, Castleton State College named its newest residence hall after Hoff, the first building to be named in his honor.[14]
References
- ^ "Can Holff bring two-party government to Vermont?". The Bennington Banner (via Newspapers.com). March 3, 1962. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Hadad, Herbert (November 8, 1962). "Ex-Football Hero Hoff's Grit, Speed Win Vermont Upset". The Boston Globe. p. 7.
- ^ Lowrance, V. L. (May 4, 1954). "History of the USS Sea Dog (SS 401)". SCRIBD. Washington, DC: US Navy, Division of Naval History. pp. 1–5. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ "Philip H. Hoff". NNDB Soylent Communications. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Ring, Wilson (April 27, 2018). "Former Gov. Phil Hoff dies". Rutland Herald. Rutland, VT. Associated Press.
- ^ "Philip H. Hoff". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ "Philip H. Hoff". National Governors Association. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ a b Stewart, Richard (April 5, 1970). "Hoff hopes to be first Vt. Democratic senator". The Boston Globe. p. 24.
- ^ Democratic groundbreaker, former Governor Phil Hoff dies, VTDigger.org, Kevin O'Connor, April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ Doyle, Mavis (August 29, 1968). "Hoff to be VEEP Candidate if Conservative is Tapped". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Ring, Wilson (April 27, 2018). "Former Vermont governor who presided over liberal swing dies". ABC News. New York, NY. Associated Press.
- ^ Stewart, Richard (October 8, 1970). "Hoff says he's beaten alcoholism". The Boston Globe. p. 5.
- ^ Hand, Samuel B.; Marro, Anthony; Terry, Stephen C. (2011). Philip Hoff: How Red Turned Blue in the Green Mountain State. Hanover, NH: University Press of New England. p. Title page. ISBN 978-1-61168-032-4.
- ^ LeBlanc, Deanna (April 29, 2012). "New Castleton dorm named for Gov. Hoff". WCAX. Burlington, Vt. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
Further reading
- The Vermont Encyclopedia, J. Duffy, S. Hand, R Orth, Editors (University Press of New England, Lebanon, N.H. 2003)
External links
- "Biography, Governor Philip Henderson Hoff". www.nga.org. Washington, DC: National Governors Association. 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
