Ohio Governor Gravesites: #50 A. Victor Donahey


A. Victor Donahey

Born: July 7, 1873
Died: April 8, 1946
Political Party: Democrat
Term of Office: January 8, 1923 - January 14, 1929
Buried: East Avenue Cemetery New Philadelphia, Ohio
No.47 of 58

      Alvin Victor Donahey was born in West Chester, Ohio on July 7, 1873. "Vic" as he preferred to be called never graduated from High School. He left school in his Junior year to pursue a career as a newspaper editor. Within 3 years he would earn the rank of foreman. Over time he would come to own his own printing company, set up in New Philadelphia.

    Donahey entered politics while still in his 20's. Despite being a Democrat in a largely Republican area, he was elected to a number of local level offices including township clerk, county auditor and he was on the Board of Education for New Philadelphia school. These local offices helped him become a delegate at the 1912 Ohio Constitutional Convention. That some year he was elected Ohio State Auditor. Winning reelection in 1916, he served in that post for 8 years.

   Donahey took his first shot at the Governorship in 1920, but lost to the Republican candidate, former Cleveland Mayor Harry L Davis. In 1922, Donahey tried again and won. Donahey would go on to win reelection twice. In 1924, he beat former Governor Harry L. Davis, and in 1926, in beat future Governor Myers Y. Cooper.

   During Donahey's first 2 terms as Governor, he vetoed bills from the state legislature 117 times, earning him the nickname "Veto Vic". Governor Donahey was a Democrat at a time when the state legislature was predominately Republican. Which caused a lot of deadlock. Despite this Governor Donahey was able to reform the state's judicial system and improve the conditions of the state's roads.

   Donahey chose not to seek reelection in 1928, however his name was brought forward for consideration for President at the 1928 Democratic National Convention. He received 5 delegate votes, for the nomination ultimately went to Governor Al Smith of New York. Donahey retired from public life for awhile, but returned to politics in 1934 when he won a seat in the United States Senate. He served one 6 years term in the US Senate before retiring from politics for good in 1941.

Governor Donahey died at his home in 1946. His son John William Donahey later served as Lt. Governor of Ohio from 1959-1963.