Spencer Bernard (politician)

Spencer Thomas Bernard (February 5, 1918 – March 9, 2001) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Bernard served as the 11th lieutenant governor of Oklahoma from 1979 to 1987. He also served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Spencer Bernard
11th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
In office
January 3, 1979 – January 12, 1987
GovernorGeorge Nigh
Preceded byGeorge Nigh
Succeeded byRobert S. Kerr III
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for the 47th district
In office
1961–1979
Succeeded byDenver Talley
Personal details
BornFebruary 5, 1918
DiedMarch 9, 2001
(aged 83)
Resting placeRush Springs Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseVivian Opal Bernard

Early life and private career

Bernard was born February 5, 1918.[1] Bernard operated a peanut-processing plant and a farming and ranching operation in Rush Springs.[2]

Political career

Bernard was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1960.[3] He served 18 years, six of which were as speaker pro tempore, the second-in-command leadership position in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.[3]

Having prevailed with 25% as first in a wide field of primary candidates and won the runoff with 63% against State Auditor Gladys Warren,[4] he was elected lieutenant governor in 1978 with considerable margin of 57.8% to 39.7% over his Republican opponent Terry Campbell.[3] In his first term, he arranged for more than $14 million in agricultural exports to Taiwan.[2] In his reelection campaign in 1982, he defeated Democratic primary opponents John Rogers, a former secretary of state from Oklahoma City, and Rodney Ray of Jenks, Oklahoma and won the general election against Norman Lamb, increasing his result to 61%.[2][5]

Death

Bernard died on March 9, 2001, and was buried in the Rush Springs Cemetery in Rush Springs, Oklahoma.[3]

References
  1. "Spencer Bernard - Rush Springs, OK - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com". Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  2. Spencer Bernard tops opponents early in race for lieutenant governor, The Oklahoman, August 25, 1982. (accessed July 23, 2013)
  3. Greiner, John. "Former Lt. Gov. Spencer Bernard Dies, Governor orders flags to be flown at half-staff," The Oklahoman, March 10, 2001. (accessed July 24, 2013)
  4. "Warren, Gladys Earl Rogers | the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture".
  5. "Our Campaigns - OK Lt. Governor - Nov 02, 1982". Retrieved 11 July 2018.
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