Leo Winters Explained

Leo Winters
Order1:11th
Office1:Oklahoma State Treasurer
Term Start1:January 9, 1967
Term End1:January 12, 1987
Governor1:Dewey F. Bartlett
David Hall
David Boren
George Nigh
Predecessor1:Cowboy Pink Williams
Successor1:Ellis Edwards
Order2:9th
Office2:Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
Term Start2:January 14, 1963
Term End2:January 9, 1967
Governor2:Henry Bellmon
Predecessor2:George Nigh
Successor2:George Nigh
Birth Date:7 November 1922
Birth Place:Hooker, Oklahoma
Party:Democrat
Death Place:Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Leo Winters (November 7, 1922 – March 5, 2005) was the ninth lieutenant governor of Oklahoma and the 11th State treasurer for the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Winters, a member of the Democratic Party, served alongside Oklahoma's first Republican governor, Henry Bellmon.

Early life

Winters was born November 7, 1922, in Hooker, Oklahoma, to David and Gertrude Winter, who were German immigrants from the Ukraine.[1] Winters attended Panhandle State University, but left college to join the United States Army Air Corps.[1] After serving in World War II as a B-17 and B-29 pilot and a total of 5 years of active duty service, he returned to Panhandle State University and earned a bachelor's degree.[1] He earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma School of Law in 1957.[1]

Political career

Winters began his political career as Secretary of the Oklahoma State Election Board from 1955 through 1963.[1] He served as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1956.[2] He was elected lieutenant governor on November 6, 1962, after beating former US Representative Wilburn Cartwright in the primary with 63% and defeating Republican Dale J. Briggs in the general election with 54%.[3] He served alongside Oklahoma's first Republican governor, Henry Bellmon.[4]

In 1966, Winters successfully campaigned to become state treasurer.[1]

Later life and death

Winters died Saturday, March 5, 2005, in Oklahoma City at the age of 82.[1]

References

  1. http://newsok.com/leo-winters/article/2887398 Leo Winters obituary
  2. http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/winterberg-wisdom.html The Political Graveyard
  3. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=493218 Our Campaigns - OK Lt. Governor Race, November 6, 1962
  4. Gibson, Arrell Morgan. Oklahoma: A History of Five Centuries, p. 252. (accessed July 23, 2013)