Mike Conner | |
|---|---|
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| 44th Governor of Mississippi | |
| In office January 19, 1932 – January 21, 1936 | |
| Lieutenant | Dennis Murphree |
| Preceded by | Theodore G. Bilbo |
| Succeeded by | Hugh L. White |
| Member of theMississippi House of Representatives from theCovington County district | |
| In office January 1916 – January 1924 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1891-08-31)August 31, 1891 Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | September 16, 1950(1950-09-16) (aged 59) Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Resting place | Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, Mississippi |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Alma Lucille Graham |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Martin "Mike"Sennet Conner (August 31, 1891 – September 16, 1950) was an American politician, lawyer, and college sports administrator who served as thegovernor of Mississippi from 1932 to 1936.
Martin Conner was born inForrest County, Mississippi in August 1891 to Oscar Weir (1868-1923) and Holly Gertrude (née Sennett) Conner (1871-1937).[1] In 1900, his family moved toruralSeminary inCovington County in southern Mississippi, where Conner likely obtained his high school education at the Seminary Attendance Center (now Seminary High School).
Conner began his education at theUniversity of Mississippi inOxford at the age of 14 years, likely the youngest person to attend the university along with Enoch Starnes.[2] He continued his education atYale University inNew Haven,Connecticut, after which he began a legal career in Seminary.
Conner served as a member of theMississippi House of Representatives from 1916 to 1924, and served a stint asSpeaker of the House. In 1932, Conner was electedGovernor of Mississippi.
Conner was allied withHuey Pierce Long, Jr., thegovernor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and theU.S. senator from 1932 to 1935. Long struck up an alliance with Conner to support "good roads" connecting the neighboring states. From the sidelines, Long helped Conner win the Mississippi governorship though Conner had twice lost previous bid for the office. Conner'srunoff election opponent and gubernatorial successor,Hugh L. White, tried to make an issue of Long's involvement in an out-of-state race.[3]
Conner's term as a governor corresponded with theGreat Depression, but he maintained a state treasury surplus during his tenure. He was noted for going to the state penitentiary to preside over "mercy courts" that resulted in executive clemency for prisoners.[4] One of Conner's methods by which he orchestrated a positive $16 million swing in the state's finances (in only four years) was the introduction of a state sales tax.[5]
In1936, Conner ran for U.S. Senate against incumbent DemocratPat Harrison. He received the support of U.S. SenatorTheodore Bilbo.[6] Harrison ultimately won the election.
Following his term as governor, Conner was the first commissioner of theSoutheastern Conference (SEC) from August 21, 1940 through the fall of 1946.[7] Conner died in the capital city ofJackson and is interred there at Lakewood Memorial Park.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Mississippi 1931 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Mississippi 1932–1936 | Succeeded by |
| Sporting positions | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
