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Higher Office(s) Served: Representative

Military Service: Navy

War(s) Served:  World War II

Honors/Awards:  Silver Star

JOHN JOYCE GILLIGAN was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received a B.A. from Notre Dame University in 1943 and an M.A. from the University of Cincinnati in 1947. Gilligan was a naval officer during World War II and was awarded the Silver Star in 1944 for gallantry in action. Prior to becoming governor, he was a member of the Cincinnati City Council (1953-64, 1967-68) and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1965-1966). He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1968 but went on two years later to win election as governor. During his administration, the state lottery—which he had opposed—was implemented. In addition, Ohio adopted a graduated state income tax to address budget shortfalls. Two years into his term, Gilligan concurred with the state legislature to lower the voting age to eighteen. Gilligan also secured funding for the improvement of Ohio's transportation infrastructure. After losing his reelection bid in 1974 in one of the closest elections in Ohio history, he served as director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) from 1977 to 1979. He also taught at several universities, including Notre Dame. In 1999 he returned to politics, winning election to the Cincinnati School Board.

SOURCES:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 3. Westport, CT: Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

The Ohio Historical Society