25 Facts About Allan Shivers

Robert Allan Shivers was an American politician who served as the 37th governor of Texas.

Allan Shivers served there from 1934 to 1946, except for two years' service in the US Army during World War II from which he was discharged with the rank of major.

In 1946, he was elected as the 33rd lieutenant governor of Texas by defeating the Republican nominee, John A Donaldson, in a landslide margin, with Shivers garnering 344,630 votes to Donaldson's 31,835 votes.

Allan Shivers was re-elected in 1948 by garnering 1,050,163 votes to the Republican Taylor Cole's 143,887 votes.

Allan Shivers is credited with developing the "ideas, practices, and techniques of leadership" that made the office the most powerful post in Texas government although the governor's powers are limited by the state constitution more than in other states.

In office, Allan Shivers initiated the practice of appointing state senators to specific committees and setting the daily agenda.

When Governor Beauford Jester died on July 11,1949, Allan Shivers succeeded him, the only lieutenant governor in Texas history who has gained the governor's office by the death of his predecessor.

In 1950, Shivers won election as governor in his own right by defeating Republican Ralph W Currie.

In 1952, Allan Shivers proved so popular that he was listed on the gubernatorial ballot as the nominee of both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Between both parties, Allan Shivers garnered 1,844,530 votes to "No Preference" getting 36,672 votes.

Allan Shivers then set the three-term precedent by running again and winning in 1954.

Allan Shivers garnered 569,533 votes to the Republican Tod R Adams's 66,154 votes.

The faction was named for Allan Shivers, who was criticized by liberals in the party, particularly Ralph Yarborough, for his corruption and conservatism.

Corruption during the Allan Shivers administration damaged his reputation and endangered his chances of re-election in 1954.

Allan Shivers was anti-integration and used the office of the governor to resist legally-mandated integration in Texas.

Allan Shivers previously held the record for longest continuous service as Texas governor at 7.5 years until June 2008, when Rick Perry surpassed Allan Shivers's record for continuous service.

Allan Shivers disputed the Truman administration's claim on the Tidelands and disapproved of Truman's veto that would have vested tideland ownership in the states.

Allan Shivers is believed to have lost popularity with some voters over his disloyalty to the Democratic Party.

Allan Shivers became less popular because of his opposition to Brown and his link to the Veterans' Land Board scandal.

Allan Shivers helped enact laws raising teacher salaries and granting retirement benefits to state employees.

Allan Shivers did not seek a fourth term in the 1956 elections.

Allan Shivers retired from politics on January 15,1957, and went into business.

Allan Shivers donated his Austin home, Woodlawn, the historic Pease mansion, to the university to help raise funds for its law school.

Allan Shivers died suddenly of a massive heart attack in Austin on January 14,1985.

Allan Shivers was survived by his wife, the former Marialice Shary, a long-time regent of Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas; three sons, a daughter; and 10 grandchildren.