Robert D. Fulton | |
|---|---|
 Fulton in 1967 | |
| 37thGovernor of Iowa | |
| In office January 1, 1969 – January 16, 1969 | |
| Preceded by | Harold Hughes |
| Succeeded by | Robert Ray |
| 37thLieutenant Governor of Iowa | |
| In office January 17, 1965 – January 1, 1969 | |
| Governor | Harold Hughes |
| Preceded by | W. L. Mooty |
| Succeeded by | Roger Jepsen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1929-05-13)May 13, 1929 Waterloo, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | February 21, 2024(2024-02-21) (aged 94) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | State University of Iowa (BS,JD) |
Robert David Fulton (May 13, 1929 – February 21, 2024) was an American politician who briefly served as the 37thgovernor of Iowa during the first 16 days of 1969, making him the shortest serving governor of Iowa. He also served as thelieutenant governor of Iowa from 1965 to 1969.
Fulton was born inWaterloo, Iowa to Lester and Fern Fulton, and he graduated fromWaterloo East High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from theState University of Iowa and aJuris Doctor from theState University of Iowa College of Law.[1]
ADemocrat, he served as a member of theIowa House of Representatives from 1958 to 1960, followed by a term as a member of theIowa Senate from 1962 to 1964.[2] He then ran for and won the office oflieutenant governor. He served in that role from January 17, 1965 to January 1, 1969. He then served briefly as governor from January 1 to January 16, 1969, following GovernorHarold Hughes' election to theUnited States Senate and subsequent resignation. Fulton was the last Democrat to serve as Governor of Iowa until the 1999 inauguration ofTom Vilsack.[3]
The office of Iowa governor was taken over byRobert D. Ray on January 16, 1969. Ray had won the gubernatorial election inNovember 1968, but, as per the state constitution, was not eligible to assume the role of governor until that day. Fulton later ran for a full term as governor in 1970, but was defeated by Ray. After leaving the governor's office, Fulton served as a member of theDemocratic National Committee, and was a delegate to the1972 Democratic National Convention.[3]
Fulton was married to Rachel Breault from 1955 until her death in 2015. They had four children.
For the last decade of his life, he resided at Jones Harrison Senior Living inMinneapolis.[4] He died on February 21, 2024 at age 94, of natural causes. At the time of his death, he was the last living former American governor who left office in the 1960s.[4][5]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Melvin H. Wolf | Democratic nominee forLieutenant Governor of Iowa 1964, 1968 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Iowa 1970 | Succeeded by Paul Franzenburg |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Iowa 1969 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Iowa 1965–1969 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byas Former US Senator | Order of precedence of the United States Within Iowa | Succeeded byas Former Governor |
| Preceded byas Former Governor | Order of precedence of the United States Outside Iowa | |
| Territorial(1838–1846) | ||
|---|---|---|
| State(since 1846) | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
