Senator Robert Davis Carey

Robert Davis Carey (August 12, 1878 – January 17, 1937) was an American politician from Wyoming who served as both Governor of Wyoming and a United States Senator from that state. A member of the Republican Party, he was the first native-born Wyomingite to hold either office and became a prominent figure in the political development of the state during the early twentieth century.

Carey was born on August 12, 1878, in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, into a family closely associated with the region’s early political and economic life. His father, Joseph M. Carey, was a leading territorial and state figure who served as territorial delegate to Congress, United States Senator, and later Governor of Wyoming. Growing up in this environment, Robert Davis Carey was exposed from an early age to public affairs, ranching interests, and the legal and political institutions of the developing state, experiences that helped shape his later career in public service.

Carey received his early education in Wyoming and later attended Yale University, from which he graduated in 1900. His education at Yale provided him with a broad academic foundation and connections beyond his home state, while reinforcing his interest in public life. After completing his studies, he returned to Wyoming, where he engaged in ranching and business activities, continuing the family’s long-standing involvement in the livestock industry and regional economic development.

Before entering statewide elective office, Carey became active in Republican Party politics and in various civic and commercial organizations in Wyoming. He gained experience in public affairs through his work in agriculture and business, which brought him into contact with issues of land use, water, transportation, and economic policy that were central to the state’s growth. This background helped establish his reputation as a capable administrator and advocate for Wyoming’s interests, setting the stage for his later service as governor and senator.

Carey’s prominence in state affairs led to his election as Governor of Wyoming, making him the first native-born resident of the state to hold that office. As governor, he drew on his experience in ranching and business to address the needs of a largely rural and resource-based economy, and he became known for his efforts to promote development while representing the interests of Wyoming’s citizens. His tenure as governor further solidified his standing within the Republican Party and positioned him as a leading figure in Wyoming politics.

Robert Davis Carey later advanced to national office as a United States Senator from Wyoming. He served as a Senator in the United States Congress from 1930 to 1937, completing two terms in office during a period of profound economic and political change in the United States. His service in Congress occurred during the years of the Great Depression and the early New Deal, a significant period in American history in which questions of federal relief, economic recovery, and regulatory reform were central to national debate. As a member of the Senate, Carey participated in the legislative process, contributed to deliberations on major national issues, and represented the interests of his Wyoming constituents in Washington, D.C.

During his Senate tenure, Carey worked within the framework of the Republican Party, which was adjusting to shifting political currents in the early 1930s. He took part in the democratic process at the federal level, engaging in committee work, floor debates, and the consideration of legislation affecting both Wyoming and the broader nation. His background as a native-born Wyomingite, rancher, businessman, and former governor informed his approach to federal policy, particularly in areas related to western development, agriculture, and natural resources.

Robert Davis Carey’s career in public life concluded with his continued service in the Senate until his death in office on January 17, 1937. His passing brought to a close the career of a figure who had been closely identified with Wyoming’s transition from territory to modern statehood and who had the distinction of being the first native-born citizen of Wyoming to serve both as its Governor and as its United States Senator.