Fred B. Balzar

Frederick Bennett "Fred" Balzar (June 15, 1880 – March 21, 1934) was an American politician. He was the 15th Governor of Nevada. He was a member of the Republican Party.

Fred B. Balzar
15th Governor of Nevada
In office
January 3, 1927 – March 21, 1934
LieutenantMorley Griswold
Preceded byJames G. Scrugham
Succeeded byMorley Griswold
Personal details
Born(1880-06-15)June 15, 1880
Virginia City, Nevada, U.S.
DiedMarch 21, 1934(1934-03-21) (aged 53)
Carson City, Nevada, U.S.
Resting placeMasonic Memorial Gardens
Reno, Nevada, U.S.
Political partyRepublican

Biography

Balzar was born in Virginia City, Nevada. His attended school in Nevada, and graduated from San Francisco Polytechnic High School. Balzar worked at a variety of occupations, including stagecoach driving, ranching, railroading, mining, and insurance.

A Republican, he served in the Nevada Assembly from 1905 to 1906, and the Nevada Senate from 1909 to 1916,. He was sheriff and county assessor of Mineral County from 1917 to 1926, and chairman of the Nevada Republican Party from 1924 to 1925.

Balzar won the race for governor in 1926, defeating incumbent James G. Scrugham. After a lengthy illness Balzar died in the governor's mansion on March 21, 1934 in Carson City, Nevada.[1] In 1931, he signed into law Assembly Bill 98, which allowed for wide-open gambling in Nevada.[2]

Balzar died in office at the Nevada Governor's Mansion.[3] He shared a close friendship with comedian Will Rogers, who eulogized him as "a real two-fisted governor."[4]

References
  1. Myles, Myrtle T. (1972). Nevada's Governors: From Territorial Days to the Present. Sparks, NV: Western Printing & Publishing. p. 310. ISBN 0-912814-01-1.
  2. "History of Gaming in Nevada" Nevada Resort Association
  3. "Fred Balzar". ONE. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  4. "Will Rogers Remarks," Los Angeles Times, March 23, 1934.
Party political offices
Preceded by
John H. Miller		 Republican nominee for Governor of Nevada
1926, 1930		 Succeeded by
Morley Griswold
Political offices
Preceded by
James G. Scrugham		 Governor of Nevada
1927–1934		 Succeeded by
Morley Griswold
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