Gov. A. Linwood Holton Jr., the first Republican governor of Virginia in the 20th century, has died at the age of 98, his family announced Thursday.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, who is married to Holton’s daughter, Anne, said the man was his “friend and public service role model.” Kaine also held the role of Virginia governor.
“His courageous efforts to end racial discrimination in Virginia—born out of deep religious conviction about the equality of all God’s children—made him a moral pillar for so many.” the Democrat said in a tweet.
I mourn the loss of my father-in-law Linwood Holton. He was my friend and public service role model. His courageous efforts to end racial discrimination in Virginia—born out of deep religious conviction about the equality of all God’s children—made him a moral pillar for so many.
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) October 28, 2021
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Born on Sept. 21, 1923, Holton went on to graduate from Washington and Lee University in 1944, according to the Washington Post.
Before being elected governor of Virginia in 1969, Holton served in the Navy during World War II. Following the war, Holton obtained his degree from Harvard Law School in 1949.
Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued a statement in which he also mourned the death of Holton.
“Linwood Holton changed what it means to serve as Governor of Virginia,” Northam began. “He knew defeat at the ballot box before victory—and when he won, he made every moment count.”
“If you want to know what American strength looks like, look at the famous photographs of Governor Holton—smiling, as he walked his children to Richmond’s public schools during the tensest moments of desegregation. He faced down Virginia’s demons and enabled this commonwealth to look ahead,” he added.
Holton served as governor from 1970 to 1974. He is being remembered for his efforts to end racial segregation in public schools, punctuated by him accompanying his daughter Tayloe to a predominately black school in Richmond eight months after his inauguration. He called his work on race relations “the greatest source of satisfaction and pride for me.”
Holton talked the state legislature into raising income and gasoline taxes. By doing so, Holton then put the money toward helping the environment, improving transportation, and higher education. However, he fell out of favor with the GOP, and Holton increasingly sided with Democrats, according to the Associated Press.
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Kaine, who was Hillary Clinton’s pick for a running mate during the 2016 presidential election, received a nod from Holton back in 2012 during a tightly contested Senate race. Holton endorsed Terry McAuliffe in 2013 in the Democrat’s successful bid for Virginia governor. McAuliffe is running for a second nonconsecutive term as governor this year.
