George R. Cox
Quick Facts
Biography
George R. Cox (January 7, 1932 – August 11, 1969) was an American politician who served as the 47th Mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and in the Wyoming House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life
George R. Cox was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on January 7, 1932, and graduated from Cheyenne High School. He attended both the University of Michigan and the University of Wyoming. He married Pat, with whom he had two children.
Career
Wyoming House of Representatives
Cox was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives from one of Laramie County's six seats with the Democratic nomination in the 1962 election. He won reelection in the 1964 election and served four terms in the state house. During his tenure in the state house he served as the chair of the Ways and Means committee.
Local politics
Cox served as a member of the zoning board in Cheyenne in the 1960s. Cox announced his mayoral campaign on October 2, 1967, and defeated R. E. Cheever, after placing behind him in the primary, before a recount verified his victory. He was Cheyenne's second-youngest mayor at the time. He died from heart stoppage due to a blocked artery at Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington County, Virginia, on August 11, 1969. Floyd Holland was selected to serve as acting mayor to fill the vacancy created by Cox's death while Peter Mulvaney was selected to replace Cox in the state house.
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nonpartisan | R. E. Cheever | 2,996 | 31.69% | ||
Nonpartisan | George R. Cox | 2,341 | 24.76% | ||
Nonpartisan | Bill Nation | 2,089 | 22.10% | ||
Nonpartisan | Jim Van Velzor | 1,264 | 13.37% | ||
Nonpartisan | Henry Jensen | 676 | 7.15% | ||
Nonpartisan | Ray Gawryluk | 88 | 0.93% | ||
Total votes | 9,454 | 100.00% |