Payne Ratner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 28th Governor of Kansas | |
| In office January 9, 1939 – January 11, 1943 | |
| Lieutenant | Carl E. Friend |
| Preceded by | Walter A. Huxman |
| Succeeded by | Andrew F. Schoeppel |
| Member of theKansas Senate | |
| In office 1929 1937–1939 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 3, 1896 Casey, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 27, 1974 (aged 78) Wichita, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Cliffe Dodd |
| Children | Jurie, Teno, Darb |
| Education | Washington University in St. Louis (J.D.) |
| Profession | attorney, politician |
Payne Harry Ratner (October 3, 1896 – December 27, 1974) was an American lawyer serving as the28th governor of Kansas from 1939 to 1943.
Born inCasey, Illinois, Ratner graduated fromBlackwell High School inOklahoma. DuringWorld War I he served as anensign in theU.S. Navy. He earned a law degree atWashington University in St. Louis in 1920.[1] He married Cliffe Dodd on August 21, 1920[2] and they had three children, Jurie, Teno, and Darb.
Ratner practiced law inSibley, Iowa, and then inParsons, Kansas. In Parsons, he was theLabette County Attorney from 1923 to 1927. He was elected as aRepublican to theKansas Senate in 1929 and also served as state senator from 1937 to 1939.[3]
Winning the 1938 Republican gubernatorial nomination and the election, Ratner was sworn in as Governor of Kansas on January 9, 1939. He was reelected in 1940. During his tenure, a department of labor was established, a department of revenue and taxation was organized, the highway commission was given authority over the vehicle department, a teacher's pension plan was implemented, a small permanent building fund for schools was authorized, and the state fire marshal's office, the hotel commission, and the inspector of restaurants were re-established.[4] He left office on January 11, 1943, and retired from politics. In 1962 Ratner was indicted on unethical legal activities; the case was dismissed; and he was cleared of all charges.
Although he was a deacon in theDisciples of Christ church, because his father was Jewish Ratner was subjected to a viciousantisemitic campaign during the 1938 gubernatorial election. TheMarysville Advocate-Democrat called him "a tricky little Jew with just enough Aryan blood in his veins to camouflage his racial background and make him a welcome visitor in most any kind of respectable company. His father is a full-blooded Israelite who talks equally well with either hand." His opponent and leading Democratic officials condemned the slurs.[5]
Ratner died in 1974 inWichita, Kansas.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Will G. West | Republican nominee forGovernor of Kansas 1938,1940 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Kansas 1939–1943 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
