| Saxon W. Holt | |
| Order: | 24th |
| Office: | Lieutenant Governor of Virginia |
| Term Start: | January 19, 1938 |
| Term End: | March 31, 1940 |
| Governor: | James H. Price |
| Predecessor: | James H. Price |
| Successor: | William M. Tuck |
| Office2: | President pro tempore of the Senate of Virginia |
| Term Start2: | January 14, 1920 |
| Term End2: | January 12, 1938 |
| Predecessor2: | C. Harding Walker |
| Successor2: | Henry T. Wickham |
| State Senate3: | Virginia |
| District3: | 33rd |
| Term Start3: | January 8, 1936 |
| Term End3: | January 12, 1938 |
| Preceded3: | William A. Wright |
| Succeeded3: | Alexander L. Bivins |
| State Senate4: | Virginia |
| District4: | 34th |
| Term Start4: | January 9, 1924 |
| Term End4: | January 8, 1936 |
| Preceded4: | Thomas J. Downing |
| Succeeded4: | Hundson Cary |
| State Senate5: | Virginia |
| District5: | 36th |
| Term Start5: | January 13, 1904 |
| Term End5: | January 9, 1924 |
| Preceded5: | None (new district) |
| Succeeded5: | Morgan R. Mills |
| Birth Name: | Saxon Winston Holt |
| Birth Date: | 25 March 1871 |
| Birth Place: | Surry County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Newport News, Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting Place: | Surry County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Children: | 3 |
| Relatives: | Henry W. Holt (brother) |
Saxon Winston Holt (March 25, 1871 – March 31, 1940), a Democrat, served as a member of the Virginia Senate and as the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1938 until 1940.
Saxon Winston Holt was born on March 25, 1871, at the family farm in Surry County, Virginia, to Virginia Henry (née Winston) and Dr. Micajah Quincy Holt. His father practiced medicine in Surry County and also worked as a farmer. His grandfather Micajah Holt was a captain in the U.S. Army and served in the War of 1812. Holt was educated in county schools and at Bethel Academy.[1] [2]
At the age of 20, Holt became a shipping clerk at a grocery company in Richmond. After two years, he worked as a tobacco salesman for Butler & Bosher, a Richmond firm.[1] [2] In the 1890s, he moved to Newport News and started S. W. Holt and Co., a wholesale grocers firm, with Arthur St. Clair Butler. Butler later sold his interest to Holt's brother Robert P. Holt. Holt continued working with the firm until his death.[1] [2] He was vice president of First National Bank.[2]
Holt served as a member of the Virginia Senate, representing Elizabeth City, York, Warwick and Newport News, from 1904 to 1938.[3] [4] [5] He served on various committees throughout his career, including finance, general laws, social and moral welfare, privileges and elections, and the steering committee. He served as president pro tempore of the senate the last 15 years of his legislative service.[6] He was an advocate for hospital improvements and supported the legislation for the Catawba Sanatorium.[1]
Holt served as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from January 19, 1938, until his death.[7]
Holt married Maria Davis Reynolds, daughter of Mary A. (née Watkins) and Henry S. Reynolds, of Norfolk in 1904. They had one daughter and two sons, Maria, Saxon W. Jr. and Micajah Quincy. They lived in Newport News.[2] [7] His brother was judge Henry W. Holt.[7] He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.[2]
Holt died on March 31, 1940, at his home on Huntington Avenue in Newport News. He was buried in a family plot in Surry County.[1] [5]
| Date | Election | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | ||||||
| Nov 2, 1937[8] | General | Saxon W. Holt | Democratic | 121,919 | 81.96 | |
| Samuel A. Reynolds | Republican | 24,758 | 16.64 | |||
| Robert L. Alter | Prohibition | 2,085 | 1.40 | |||
| James H. Price did not seek reelection; seat stayed Democratic | ||||||