David Walters

For the swimmer, see David Walters (swimmer).

David Lee Walters
24th Governor of Oklahoma
In office January 14, 1991 – January 9, 1995
Preceded by	Henry Bellmon
Succeeded by	Frank Keating
Personal details
Born	November 20, 1951 (1951-11-20) (age 60) Canute, Oklahoma
Political party	Democratic
Religion	Roman Catholic

David Lee Walters (born November 20, 1951) was the 24th Governor of Oklahoma from 1991 to 1995.

Biography

Walters was born near Canute, Oklahoma. He graduated as valedictorian from Canute High School in 1969. He later graduated from University of Oklahoma in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. In 1977 he earned his master's degree in business administration from Harvard University.

He became the project manager for Gov. David Boren. Later Walters served as assistant and associate provost at the OU Health Sciences Center. There, at the age of 29, he became the youngest executive officer in the university’s history. He joined The Burks Group (a commercial real estate company) in 1982, and became president of American Fidelity Property Company in 1985. In 1984 he was appointed co-chairman of the governor's 100-member Reform Commission.

Governorship

On November 6, 1990 Walters was elected governor of Oklahoma carrying 75 of the state’s 77 counties. During his term education funding increased by approximately 30 percent and a $350 million bond issue for higher education brought construction and renovation to every state college campus. Walters term in office was marred by controversy about making the Blue Room, a ceremonial large hall in the state capitol building into the Governor's office. Since the large room was more ornate and formal, the effort made questions arise about his judgment. Additionally, Walters term was controversial as numerous former campaign aides testified to illegal activities in his campaign organization. While in office he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor election violation as opposed to felony charges.^[1] He did not run for re-election in 1994.^[1]

Cabinet Secretaries

• Secretary of State - John Kennedy (1991-1995)
• Secretary of Administration
• Secretary of Agriculture - Gary Sherrer (1991–1995)
• Secretary of Commerce
• Secretary of Education - Sandy Garrett (1991–1995)
• Secretary of Energy - Charles Nesbitt (1991–1995)
• Secretary of the Environment
• Secretary of Finance
• Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Secretary of Human Resources - James Thomas (1991), Oscar B. Jackson Jr. (1991–1995)
• Secretary of the Military
• Secretary of Safety and Security - Robert Fitzpatrick (1991–1995)
• Secretary of Tourism
• Secretary of Transportation - Delmas Ford (1991-1995)
• Secretary of Veterans Affairs - John Willis (1991-1995)

Senate run

In 2002, Walters was the Democratic nominee for US Senate, but was defeated by the incumbent, James Inhofe.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Guilty governor won't run". Milwaukee Sentinel. 1993-11-02. p. 2. 
2. ^ "Senate Race Results". Fox News Channel. 2002-11-06. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,69136,00.html. Retrieved 2010-01-27. 

Political offices
Preceded by Henry Bellmon (R)	Governor of Oklahoma 1991–1995	Succeeded by Frank Keating (R)
Party political offices
Preceded by George Nigh	Democratic nominee for Governor of Oklahoma 1986, 1990	Succeeded by Jack Mildren

Persondata
Name	Walters, David
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 20, 1951
Place of birth	Canute, Oklahoma
Date of death
Place of death