Gus R. Douglass (February 22, 1927 – March 19, 2015) was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party, who served as Agriculture Commissioner of West Virginia for 44 years.[1] First elected to that post in 1964, he served from 1965 to 1989, when he left office having run unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for Governor, and again from 1993 to 2013.[2] He was the longest-serving Agriculture Commissioner in US history.[2][3]
Douglass was born in Mason County in 1927[4] and raised in Grimms Landing, West Virginia. He served as state and national president of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) as the first president of the FFA to hail from West Virginia, and later was the inaugural president of the National FFA Alumni Association. He is also a 4-H All-Star. Douglas holds a bachelor's degree and an honorary Doctor of Sciences from West Virginia University and an honorary Doctor of Laws from West Virginia State University. Prior to beginning work for the Department of Agriculture, Douglass operated a farm equipment and motor truck dealership.[5]
Careeredit
Douglass, then a farmer in Mason County, was recruited to the position of Assistant Commissioner in the West Virginia Department of Agriculture by then-Commissioner John T. Johnson in 1957.[3] He went on to serve as Commissioner in his own right for six terms between 1965 and 1989, and five more between 1993 and 2013. He unsuccessfully ran for Governor of West Virginia in 1988.[6]
Douglass was re-elected in 2008 over Republican nominee J. Michael Teets, having campaigned on his record of having established programs for meat inspection, food safety and animal health, and calling for technology and security measures including a mobile laboratory able to identify viruses more quickly.[3][7] In his last term, he successfully acquired funding from the West Virginia Legislature for a cold storage facility near Ripley which is used to store food for the state's schools and its donated foods program, and could also be used for disaster preparation.[3]
During his tenure as Agriculture Commissioner, Douglass served as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the Southern United States Trade Association; and chair of the Southern Regional Committee for Food and Agriculture and the United States Secretary of Agriculture's Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases.[3] He also testified before the United States Congress multiple times on matters relating to farming.[6]
When he retired Douglass had worked at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture for more than half of its then 101-year history. Over the period the department's budget grew from less than $1 million to more than $55 million.[8]
Retirementedit
Douglass announced on May 17, 2011 that he would not seek re-election in 2012, after colleagues in the Department of Agriculture expressed an interest in the position of Commissioner.[3] At the press conference at which he announced his retirement, he described his electoral history as "truly humbling."[9] Douglass was succeeded in 2013 by Walt Helmick.[1]
In 2014 an audit by the West Virginia Legislature found mismanagement, potential fraud and lack of oversight in a loan program operated by the Department of Agriculture during Douglass's tenure.[8] The audit's findings included that Douglass had sought reimbursement of $106.72 per night for a campsite at the West Virginia State Fair when in reality the State Fair provided the campsite free of charge.[10] The audit's findings were turned over to federal prosecutors who, as of March 2015, have taken no action; and the loan program was restructured under Helmick.[8] Douglass said he was not contacted as part of the audit.[6] A follow-up audit later in 2014 raised additional issues with the loan program and found evidence of inappropriate reimbursements and expense claims, including a $282 expense for two nights' lodging for Douglas in relation to a November 2013 retirement party.[11]
Personal lifeedit
Douglass ran a 540-acre farm which specialized in beef cattle and grain production with his son, Tom. He and his wife, Anna Lee, had four children, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.[5] Anna Lee died in October 2014.[8]
Deathedit
Douglass died on March 19, 2015, following a fall at his home in Mason County. He was 88.[6] His funeral was held on March 22, 2015.[12] He is survived by his four children and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.[8]
Electoral historyedit
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, Democratic primary, 1964[13]
Gus R. Douglass – 72,016 (27.90%)
Charles E. Jenkins – 46,486 (18.01%)
Roscoe Beall – 38,087 (14.76%)
Carroll R. Hawkins – 34,415 (13.33%)
O. Roy Parker – 27,244 (10.56%)
V. L. Martin – 27,127 (10.51%)
J. P. (Joe) Muck – 12,715 (4.93%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, general election, 1964[14]
Gus R. Douglass, Democratic Party – 451,850 (62.01%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, Democratic primary, 1992[26]
Gus R. Douglass – 195,494 (70.02%)
Frederick L. Parker – 50,443 (18.07%)
Jeffrey K. Silverman – 33,253 (11.91%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, general election, 1992[27]
Gus R. Douglass, Democratic Party – 413,869 (70.64%)
Steven C. Teufel, Republican Party – 172,060 (29.37%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, Democratic primary, 1996[28]
Gus R. Douglass – 252,246 (100.00%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, general election, 1996[29]
Gus R. Douglass, Democratic Party – 401,961 (72.08%)
Paul Nuchims, Republican Party – 155,673 (27.92%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, Democratic primary, 2000[30]
Gus R. Douglass – 224,800 (100.00%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, general election, 2000[31]
Gus R. Douglass, Democratic Party – 485,648 (100.00%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, Democratic primary, 2004[32]
Gus R. Douglass – 217,069 (100.00%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, general election, 2004[33]
Gus R. Douglass, Democratic Party – 437,881 (63.34%)
Andrew Yost, Republican Party – 253,402 (36.66%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, Democratic primary, 2008[34]
Gus R. Douglass – 193,766 (63.08%)
Oscar Wayne Casto – 113,400 (36.92%)
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, general election, 2008[35]
Gus R. Douglass, Democratic Party – 352,242 (53.07%)
James Michael Teets, Republican Party – 311,496 (46.93%)
Referencesedit
^ abBurdette, Matthew (January 15, 2013). . The Journal. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
^ abRivard, Ry (May 16, 2011). "CAMPAIGN NOTEBOOK: Douglass to announce, Ireland thanks supporters". Charleston Daily Mail. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
^ abcdefSmith, Vicki (May 17, 2011). "W.Va. ag commissioner won't seek re-election". Deseret News. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
^"This week in West Virginia history". The Herald-Dispatch. February 21, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
^ ab"Biography of Commissioner Gus R. Douglass". West Virginia Department of Agriculture. November 10, 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
^ abcd. The Journal. March 19, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
^Farkas, Brian (October 8, 2008). "W.Va. ag chief running for 11th 4-year term". Fox News. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
^ abcdeKabler, Phil (March 19, 2015). "Longtime W.Va. agriculture commissioner Gus Douglass dies". The Charleston Gazette. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
^"Heading To The Farm". WCHS Radio 58. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
^Lawrence, Chris (February 10, 2014). "Audit finds an array of problems with Department of Agriculture". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
^Kabler, Phil (August 26, 2014). "Ag agency audit finds possible fraud". The Charleston Gazette. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
^Clay, Jarrod (March 22, 2015). "Funeral Services Held For Gus Douglass". WCHS-TV. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
^(PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. pp. 7–9. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
^(PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. pp. 12–13. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
^(PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. pp. 6–7. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
^(PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. pp. 13–15. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
^(PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. pp. 15–16. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
^(PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. pp. 14–15. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
^(PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. pp. 14–15. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 10, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
^(PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. pp. 12–13. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
^(PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
Report of the legislative audit of the Department of Agriculture
December 15, 2023
douglass, douglass, february, 1927, march, 2015, american, politician, member, democratic, party, served, agriculture, commissioner, west, virginia, years, first, elected, that, post, 1964, served, from, 1965, 1989, when, left, office, having, unsuccessfully, . Gus R Douglass February 22 1927 March 19 2015 was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served as Agriculture Commissioner of West Virginia for 44 years 1 First elected to that post in 1964 he served from 1965 to 1989 when he left office having run unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for Governor and again from 1993 to 2013 2 He was the longest serving Agriculture Commissioner in US history 2 3 Gus R DouglassDouglass in September 2008West Virginia Commissioner of AgricultureIn office 1993 2013GovernorGaston Caperton Cecil H Underwood Bob Wise Joe Manchin Earl Ray TomblinPreceded byCleve BenedictSucceeded byWalt HelmickIn office 1965 1989GovernorHulett C Smith Arch A Moore Jr Jay RockefellerPreceded byJohn T JohnsonSucceeded byCleve BenedictPersonal detailsBorn 1927 02 22 February 22 1927Mason County West Virginia U S DiedMarch 19 2015 2015 03 19 aged 88 Mason County West Virginia U S Political partyDemocratic PartySpouseAnna Lee DouglassAlma materWest Virginia University Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Retirement 4 Personal life 5 Death 6 Electoral history 7 References 8 External linksEarly life editDouglass was born in Mason County in 1927 4 and raised in Grimms Landing West Virginia He served as state and national president of the Future Farmers of America FFA as the first president of the FFA to hail from West Virginia and later was the inaugural president of the National FFA Alumni Association He is also a 4 H All Star Douglas holds a bachelor s degree and an honorary Doctor of Sciences from West Virginia University and an honorary Doctor of Laws from West Virginia State University Prior to beginning work for the Department of Agriculture Douglass operated a farm equipment and motor truck dealership 5 Career editDouglass then a farmer in Mason County was recruited to the position of Assistant Commissioner in the West Virginia Department of Agriculture by then Commissioner John T Johnson in 1957 3 He went on to serve as Commissioner in his own right for six terms between 1965 and 1989 and five more between 1993 and 2013 He unsuccessfully ran for Governor of West Virginia in 1988 6 Douglass was re elected in 2008 over Republican nominee J Michael Teets having campaigned on his record of having established programs for meat inspection food safety and animal health and calling for technology and security measures including a mobile laboratory able to identify viruses more quickly 3 7 In his last term he successfully acquired funding from the West Virginia Legislature for a cold storage facility near Ripley which is used to store food for the state s schools and its donated foods program and could also be used for disaster preparation 3 During his tenure as Agriculture Commissioner Douglass served as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the Southern United States Trade Association and chair of the Southern Regional Committee for Food and Agriculture and the United States Secretary of Agriculture s Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases 3 He also testified before the United States Congress multiple times on matters relating to farming 6 When he retired Douglass had worked at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture for more than half of its then 101 year history Over the period the department s budget grew from less than 1 million to more than 55 million 8 Retirement editDouglass announced on May 17 2011 that he would not seek re election in 2012 after colleagues in the Department of Agriculture expressed an interest in the position of Commissioner 3 At the press conference at which he announced his retirement he described his electoral history as truly humbling 9 Douglass was succeeded in 2013 by Walt Helmick 1 In 2014 an audit by the West Virginia Legislature found mismanagement potential fraud and lack of oversight in a loan program operated by the Department of Agriculture during Douglass s tenure 8 The audit s findings included that Douglass had sought reimbursement of 106 72 per night for a campsite at the West Virginia State Fair when in reality the State Fair provided the campsite free of charge 10 The audit s findings were turned over to federal prosecutors who as of March 2015 have taken no action and the loan program was restructured under Helmick 8 Douglass said he was not contacted as part of the audit 6 A follow up audit later in 2014 raised additional issues with the loan program and found evidence of inappropriate reimbursements and expense claims including a 282 expense for two nights lodging for Douglas in relation to a November 2013 retirement party 11 Personal life editDouglass ran a 540 acre farm which specialized in beef cattle and grain production with his son Tom He and his wife Anna Lee had four children six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren 5 Anna Lee died in October 2014 8 Death editDouglass died on March 19 2015 following a fall at his home in Mason County He was 88 6 His funeral was held on March 22 2015 12 He is survived by his four children and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren 8 Electoral history editWest Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 1964 13 Gus R Douglass 72 016 27 90 Charles E Jenkins 46 486 18 01 Roscoe Beall 38 087 14 76 Carroll R Hawkins 34 415 13 33 O Roy Parker 27 244 10 56 V L Martin 27 127 10 51 J P Joe Muck 12 715 4 93 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 1964 14 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 451 850 62 01 Nicholas M Homes Republican Party 276 834 37 99 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 1968 15 Gus R Douglass 128 774 52 70 Charles E Jenkins 115 562 47 30 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 1968 16 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 367 949 53 89 Edward T White Republican Party 314 882 46 11 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 1972 17 Gus R Douglass 179 130 64 06 Charles Jenkins 100 480 35 94 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 1972 18 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 452 829 100 00 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 1976 19 Gus R Douglass 198 803 63 70 Charles E Jenkins 113 295 36 30 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 1976 20 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 508 998 100 00 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 1980 21 Gus R Douglass 183 711 68 21 Charles E Jenkins 85 626 31 79 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 1980 22 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 442 215 67 37 Lionel L Smith Republican Party 214 228 32 63 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 1984 23 Gus R Douglass 227 715 69 84 Charles E Jenkins 98 326 30 16 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 1984 24 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 447 947 67 46 Glenn M Smith Jr Republican Party 216 100 32 54 Governor of West Virginia Democratic primary 1988 25 Gaston Caperton 132 435 37 96 Clyde See 94 364 27 05 Mario J Palumbo 51 722 14 84 Gus R Douglass 48 748 13 97 Dan Tonkovich 14 916 4 28 Larry Harless 5 217 1 50 Paul Nuchims 1 484 0 43 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 1992 26 Gus R Douglass 195 494 70 02 Frederick L Parker 50 443 18 07 Jeffrey K Silverman 33 253 11 91 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 1992 27 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 413 869 70 64 Steven C Teufel Republican Party 172 060 29 37 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 1996 28 Gus R Douglass 252 246 100 00 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 1996 29 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 401 961 72 08 Paul Nuchims Republican Party 155 673 27 92 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 2000 30 Gus R Douglass 224 800 100 00 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 2000 31 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 485 648 100 00 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 2004 32 Gus R Douglass 217 069 100 00 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 2004 33 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 437 881 63 34 Andrew Yost Republican Party 253 402 36 66 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary 2008 34 Gus R Douglass 193 766 63 08 Oscar Wayne Casto 113 400 36 92 West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture general election 2008 35 Gus R Douglass Democratic Party 352 242 53 07 James Michael Teets Republican Party 311 496 46 93 References edit a b Burdette Matthew January 15 2013 Tomblin takes oath of office again The Journal Archived from the original on March 5 2016 Retrieved February 1 2013 a b Rivard Ry May 16 2011 CAMPAIGN NOTEBOOK Douglass to announce Ireland thanks supporters Charleston Daily Mail Archived from the original on January 20 2013 Retrieved May 22 2011 a b c d e f Smith Vicki May 17 2011 W Va ag commissioner won t seek re election Deseret News Retrieved February 11 2014 This week in West Virginia history The Herald Dispatch February 21 2011 Retrieved February 11 2014 a b Biography of Commissioner Gus R Douglass West Virginia Department of Agriculture November 10 2008 Retrieved May 22 2011 a b c d Former W Va agriculture commissioner Gus Douglass dies The Journal March 19 2015 Archived from the original on April 2 2015 Retrieved March 19 2015 Farkas Brian October 8 2008 W Va ag chief running for 11th 4 year term Fox News Retrieved May 22 2011 a b c d e Kabler Phil March 19 2015 Longtime W Va agriculture commissioner Gus Douglass dies The Charleston Gazette Retrieved April 14 2015 Heading To The Farm WCHS Radio 58 Retrieved May 22 2011 Lawrence Chris February 10 2014 Audit finds an array of problems with Department of Agriculture West Virginia MetroNews Retrieved April 15 2015 Kabler Phil August 26 2014 Ag agency audit finds possible fraud The Charleston Gazette Retrieved April 15 2015 Clay Jarrod March 22 2015 Funeral Services Held For Gus Douglass WCHS TV Retrieved April 15 2015 1964 Primary Election Official Returns of the Democratic Party PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 7 9 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 11 2014 1964 General Election Official Election Returns PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 12 13 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 11 2014 1968 Primary Election Official Returns of the Democratic Party PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 6 7 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 11 2014 1968 General Election Official Election Returns PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 13 15 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1972 Primary Election Official Returns of the Democratic Party PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 15 16 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1972 General Election Official Returns PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 14 15 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1976 Primary Election Official Returns of the Democratic Party PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 14 15 Archived from the original PDF on November 10 2013 Retrieved February 13 2014 1976 General Election Official Election Returns PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 12 13 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1980 Primary Election Commissioner of Agriculture PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 1 2 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1980 General Election WV Commissioner of Agriculture PDF West Virginia Secretary of State Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1984 Primary Election Official Returns of the Democratic Party PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 13 15 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1984 General Election Official Election Returns PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 13 14 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1988 Primary Election Official Returns of the Democratic Party PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 8 10 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1992 Primary Election Official Returns of the Democratic Party PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 13 15 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1992 General Election Official Election Returns PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 10 11 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1996 Primary Election Official Returns of the Democratic Party PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 14 15 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 1996 General Election Official Election Returns PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 11 12 Archived from the original PDF on March 4 2016 Retrieved February 13 2014 2000 Primary Election Commissioner of Agriculture PDF West Virginia Secretary of State Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 2000 General Election Commissioner of Agriculture PDF West Virginia Secretary of State Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 2004 Primary Election Commissioner of Agriculture PDF West Virginia Secretary of State pp 1 3 Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 2004 General Election Commissioner of Agriculture PDF West Virginia Secretary of State Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved February 13 2014 Statewide Results Primary Election May 13 2008 West Virginia Secretary of State Retrieved February 13 2014 Statewide Results General Election November 4 2008 West Virginia Secretary of State Retrieved February 13 2014 External links editReport of the legislative audit of the Department of Agriculture Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gus Douglass amp oldid 1188833220, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
