Lenore LaFount Romney was born in 1909 in Ogden, Utah. In 1931, she married George Wilcken Romney, who was later to become President of American Motors, Governor of Michigan and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. A well-respected and admired politician and public figure in her own right, Lenore Romney took an active role in state politics as Michigan's first lady. Both then, and later as wife of a cabinet secretary, she traveled widely, speaking on issues such as poverty, volunteerism, women's rights and the Vietnam War. She announced her candidacy for United States Senator from Michigan in 1969, running against Democratic incumbent Phil Hart. Romney was hampered in her campaign by her unpopular positions--she supported Nixon's stand on the Vietnam War--and her lack of a concrete platform--long on moral positions but short on specifics. At a time when there was just one woman in the U.S. Senate, her being in the race at all raised many eyebrows, especially given her husband's own political career. Many thought that she should let Mr. Romney wear the political hat in the family. Although her moral courage was widely admired, she was soundly defeated in November 1970. After the election, she continued to live in the public eye, speaking out on issues of concern to her, including volunteerism, women's rights, abortion, and the inverse relationship between morality and crime.
From the guide to the Lenore LaFount Romney Papers, 1960-1974, 1962-1970, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)
