Harold W. Handley
| Harold Willis Handley | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 40th Governor of Indiana | |
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In office January 14, 1957 – January 9, 1961 |
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| Lieutenant | Crawford F. Parker |
| Preceded by | George N. Craig |
| Succeeded by | Matthew E. Welsh |
| 39th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana | |
|
In office January 12, 1953 – January 14, 1957 |
|
| Governor | George N. Craig |
| Preceded by | Rue J. Alexander |
| Succeeded by | Crawford F. Parker |
| Indiana State Senator | |
|
In office 1949–1952 |
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In office 1940–1942 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | November 27, 1909 LaPorte, Indiana |
| Died | August 30, 1972 (aged 62) Rawlins, Wyoming |
| Resting place |
Pine Lake Cemetery LaPorte, Indiana |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Barbara Winterble |
| Alma mater | Indiana University |
| Profession | salesman |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Pine Lake Cemetery
Harold Willis Handley (November 27, 1909 – August 30, 1972) was the 40th Governor of the U.S. state of Indiana from 1957 to 1961. A veteran of World War II, and furniture salesman by trade, Handley began his political career as a state senator. Thanks to his longtime friendship with state party leader and United States Senator William E. Jenner, he was able to secure the nomination to run for lieutenant governor in 1952, during which time he opposed many of the actions of Governor George N. Craig. His popularity rose among the conservative leadership of the Indiana Republican Party and aided him in winning the nomination and subsequent election as governor in 1956.
He was elected during a period of conservative domination of the state government. He successfully implemented major parts of his party's agenda that affected the state for decades. After raising the gasoline tax 50% to balance the state budget, his opponents branded him "High Tax Harold", ignoring the fact that he also eliminated state property taxes. His launched an unprecedented mid-term campaign for a United States Senate seat, but ended in defeat and he finished his term as governor. He personally advocated mental health reform in Indiana and after leaving office he remained active in several charities that helped the mentally disabled, winning a Drummer Boy Award in 1970. He operated a successful public relations business in Indianapolis for several years and in 1969 served on the Constitutional Revision Committee that authored a set of major amendments to the state constitution.
Harold Handley was born November 27, 1909 in LaPorte, Indiana, one of the three sons of Harold Lowell and Lottie Margaret Brackbill Handley. His father was a merchant who sold furniture. He attend local public schools before enrolling in Indiana University. His classmates included William E. Jenner and George N. Craig. Handley became good friends with Jenner; the two later became important political allies. Craig however, would become Handley's major opponent within his own party. He studied at the school for four years and graduated in 1932 with a bachelor's degree in economics.
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