David Walters

For the swimmer, see David Walters (swimmer).

David Lee Walters
24th Governor of Oklahoma
In office January 14, 1991 – January 9, 1995
Lieutenant	Jack Mildren
Preceded by	Henry Bellmon
Succeeded by	Frank Keating
Personal details
Born	(1951-11-20) November 20, 1951 Canute, Oklahoma
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	University of Oklahoma (B.A.) Harvard University (M.S.)
Religion	Roman Catholic

David Lee Walters (born November 20, 1951) is a United States Democratic Party politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. He was the 24th governor of Oklahoma from 1991 to 1995.

Born in Canute, Oklahoma, Walters was a project manager for Governor David L. Boren and the youngest executive officer working for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He also worked in commercial real estate. As governor, he increased education funding, but his term was marred by controversies that ended with him pleading guilty to a misdemeanor election violation. He did not seek re-election and was defeated in a 2002 campaign for the United States Senate.

Early life

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

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

Governor of Oklahoma

In 1986, Walters was the Democratic nominee for governor of Oklahoma, but was defeated by Republican Henry L. Bellmon, who returned to the governorship after completing his first term 20 years earlier. On November 6, 1990 Walters was elected governor, 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 planned on making the Blue Room, a large ceremonial hall in the State Capitol, into his office. Walters's 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. He did not run for re-election in 1994.

Cabinet

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

Senate campaign

In 2002, Walters was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate, but was defeated by the incumbent, James Inhofe.

References

Political offices
Preceded by Henry Bellmon	Governor of Oklahoma January 14, 1991–January 9, 1995	Succeeded by Frank Keating
Party political offices
Preceded by George Nigh	Democratic nominee for Governor of Oklahoma 1986, 1990	Succeeded by Jack Mildren