Benjamin Birch (APRP8)

Benjamin Bayh Birch (born May 5th, 1908) is an American Politican who is serving as the Governor of New Hanover since 1956. A member of the Democratic Party and the Progressive Party, he also served in the House of Representatives, representing New Hanover's 3rd from 1955 to 1956.
Birch was born on May 5th, 1098 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He grew up with his parents in Fort Wayne until he was 18 and moved to Indianapolis for college. At age 30, he was appointed as a Secretary to The Mayor of Indianapolis, a position he served until he stepped down in 1949. He spent his 5 years out of office focusing with his family and close ones, usually visiting them a lot during Summer and Winter. He then thought of persuing a career in national politics in 1953, with the advice of his family, he delcared he will run for New Hanover's 3rd District in 1954.
In that election, he ran unopposed. On Election Day, he got 100% of the vote. Birch was inagurated on January 3rd, 1955 in the House Chmaber. During his tenure, he strongly supported the explusion against Senator Yockey after a failed coup attempt on the Dixieland Government. An explusion resolution was proposed, and he helped get passed in the House. In December 1955, House Minority Leader Alferd Baker resigned from the House after he allgedly was involed in the Dixieland coup, with these Representative Jesse Stoner become the new Minoirty Leder, and Birch became the new Minority Whip. In 1956, he ran for re-election against independent Jim Pepper. Although he received some support from other people in different parties, it wasn't enough for him to retain his seat. On Election Day, he lost the election getting 47% of the vote against Pepper's 52.9%. 
Although Birch considered reitrement, he was in luck. Senator Kristi Noem, along with her "cronies", (Which is what Birch called them in a later statement) all resigned after a major scandal came out about them, icluding then Governor Gerald Ford (not to be confused with Representative Ford). The Governor seat was left vacant, and New Hanoverians support Birch to become Governor. So in November 1956, Birch accepted to becoming Governor, getting inagurated on Novmeber 12th, 1956. His first acts as Governor including banning segreation in New Hanover, appointing George Almore to Noem's Senate Seat, and appointing Holstadt to Lieutenaut Governor. He soon made the Ku Klux Klan a terrorist organzation, made the klan being illegal and could server25 years in prison, made lynching a maximum punishment by death. 
He ran for re-election in 1958, running against Republican Juile Kennedy, and his 1956 House opponet, independent Jim Pepper. Combined with his civil rights successes and a good standing economy, Birch was re-elected with 51.5%, against Kennedy's 42.4%, and Pepper's 6.1%. Birch got inagurated for a full term on January 7th, 1959. There was a flag referendum to choose the state flag in 1959, with Flag 4 winning. Major accomplishments of Birch in his second term include banning racial discrimation in voting, started removal proccess for the Governor and Lieutenaut Governor if found committing crimes, and termi-limting the Governor, although made expection for him. In 1961, his first Lieutenaut, Edward Holstadt, was unable to serve as Lieutenaut Governor upon being elected Vice President. Birch appointed Johan Fredriksen as his successor.
In 1962, Birch ran for re-election. He is currently unopposed, and is endorsed by some Republicans.
Category:APRP8