Rhodes, James Allen

▪ 2002

      American politician (b. Sept. 13, 1909, Coalton, Ohio—d. March 4, 2001, Columbus, Ohio), was Ohio's longest-serving governor; although he was credited with improving his state's economy, infrastructure, and educational system, his career was overshadowed by his decision to quell an antiwar protest by sending National Guard troops to Kent (Ohio) State University—an action that led to the shooting deaths of four students on May 4, 1970. Rhodes worked his way up through the local ranks of the Republican Party to become mayor of Columbus at the age of 33. He lost his first bid for the governorship in 1954 but was elected eight years later; he held the post from 1962 to 1970. The day after the Kent State shootings, Rhodes lost the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, but four years later he was reelected governor. He stepped down in 1982 and lost a bid for a fifth term as governor in 1986.

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