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Cal Rampton | |
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| 11thGovernor of Utah | |
| In office January 4, 1965 – January 3, 1977 | |
| Lieutenant | Clyde L. Miller |
| Preceded by | George Clyde |
| Succeeded by | Scott Matheson |
| Chair of theNational Governors Association | |
| In office June 2, 1974 – June 8, 1975 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel J. Evans |
| Succeeded by | Robert D. Ray |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Calvin Lewellyn Rampton (1913-11-06)November 6, 1913 Bountiful, Utah, U.S. |
| Died | September 16, 2007(2007-09-16) (aged 93) Holladay, Utah, U.S. |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lucybeth Cardon |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of Utah (BA) George Washington University (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Calvin Lewellyn Rampton (November 6, 1913 – September 16, 2007) was an American attorney and politician who served as the11th governor of Utah from 1965 to 1977.
With a tenure spanning for 12 years, he is both the longest serving governor of Utah, and the onlyDemocrat to have served more than two terms.
He was born to Llewellyn Smith Rampton and Janet Campbell inBountiful, Utah. Following his graduation fromDavis High School in 1931, Rampton took over his family's automobile business, due to his father's death that same year. He sold the business in 1933 and entered theUniversity of Utah, graduating in 1936. He also studied at theGeorge Washington University Law School while working as administrative assistant to CongressmanJ. W. Robinson.[1]
Rampton served asDavis County Attorney from 1938 to 1940, the only other public office he would be elected to until becoming governor in 1965.
Rampton served in Europe duringWorld War II as Chief of the Army Claims Commission in Paris; he attained the rank of major and received theBronze Star Medal. Rampton continued to serve in the Army Reserve and attained the rank of colonel before retiring. After the war he pursued a career as an attorney and his success in civil trial practice earned him a fellowship with the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He was a Democratic candidate for the Utah State Senate in 1954 and United States Senate in1962.
He was elected Governor of Utah in1964, winning just under 57% of the vote over RepublicanMitchell Melich. He would be re-elected in1968 with over 68% of the vote and re-elected to a third term in1972 with over 69% of the vote. In 1968, he would win every county in the state except forKane, which would go for his Republican opponentCarl W. Buehner. In 1972, Rampton would flip Kane, but loseUintah County to his Republican opponent Nicholas L. Strike, meaning that twice he won every county in the state except for one. He is the only governor of Utah to serve three full consecutive terms,[1] and was one of the most popular governors in the country.
During his governorship, he successfully advocated for increased education spending, civil rights legislation, and allocating federal funds for urban renewal. He was a supporter of theEqual Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and advocated successfully for state construction projects, including Salt Lake City’s Symphony Hall (nowAbravanel Hall) and the Salt Lake Arts Center (nowUtah Museum of Contemporary Art).
After leaving office, Rampton practiced law until he retired at the age of 75.
Rampton marriedLucybeth Cardon (1914–2004) on March 10, 1940; they had four children.
In 2007, Rampton died of cancer inHolladay, Utah. Shortly after his death, theSalt Palace Convention Center inSalt Lake City was also named in his honor. The Calvin L. Rampton Complex inTaylorsville, which houses theUtah Department of Transportation and the Utah Department of Public Safety, is also named in his honor.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Utah 1964,1968,1972 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Utah 1965–1977 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of theNational Governors Association 1974–1975 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
