US Senator, Governor of Maine. He was a Republican politician during the 20th century from Maine. He served as the 60th Governor of Maine from 1949 to 1953 and in the US Senate from 1953 to 1959. After attending public schools, "Fred," as he was called, graduated in 1925 from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in Boston. He had numerous positions after graduation including being a newspaper reporter and managing 134 movie theatres across New England. He began his political career as mayor of Augusta, serving from 1935 to 1941. He attempted to be the Republican candidate for governor but failed to be nominated. Payne was appointed the state finance commissioner and budget director under Governor Sumner Sewall. He resigned in 1942 in order to serve with the U.S. Air Force during World War II, reaching the rank of a lieutenant colonel. Following his military service, he was a candidate the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1948, winning the general election by a popular vote. He was reelected to a second term in 1950. During his tenure, a two percent sales tax was sanctioned, the Maine Development Commission was expanded, executive power was increased over state agencies, the bonded deficit was erased, and a surplus in the state treasury was secured. Upon his election to the U.S. Senate, he resigned from the governor's office on December 24, 1952. After serving in his senatorial seat from 1953 to 1959, Payne retired from political life after being an unsuccessful candidate for reelection.
US Senator, Governor of Maine. He was a Republican politician during the 20th century from Maine. He served as the 60th Governor of Maine from 1949 to 1953 and in the US Senate from 1953 to 1959. After attending public schools, "Fred," as he was called, graduated in 1925 from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in Boston. He had numerous positions after graduation including being a newspaper reporter and managing 134 movie theatres across New England. He began his political career as mayor of Augusta, serving from 1935 to 1941. He attempted to be the Republican candidate for governor but failed to be nominated. Payne was appointed the state finance commissioner and budget director under Governor Sumner Sewall. He resigned in 1942 in order to serve with the U.S. Air Force during World War II, reaching the rank of a lieutenant colonel. Following his military service, he was a candidate the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1948, winning the general election by a popular vote. He was reelected to a second term in 1950. During his tenure, a two percent sales tax was sanctioned, the Maine Development Commission was expanded, executive power was increased over state agencies, the bonded deficit was erased, and a surplus in the state treasury was secured. Upon his election to the U.S. Senate, he resigned from the governor's office on December 24, 1952. After serving in his senatorial seat from 1953 to 1959, Payne retired from political life after being an unsuccessful candidate for reelection.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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