William Allain
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William A. "Bill" Allain (born February 14, 1928) is a Mississippi politician who served as governor of that state as a Democrat from 1984 to 1988.
Allain was born in Washington, Mississippi. He attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated from law school from the University of Mississippi. Allain served in the United States infantry in the Korean War. After the war, he practiced law in Natchez, Mississippi until his appointment as assistant state attorney general in 1962.
Allain was elected state attorney general in 1979 and attained a reputation as a consumer advocate while in the office by preventing utility rate increases and stopping nuclear waste from being stored in Mississippi.
Allain ran for Governor in 1983 and during the campaign allegations arose that he engaged in acts with black male transvestite prostitutes. Allain won the election easily and the allegations were recanted after the election.
Another controversy arose during Allain's term as Governor when a maintenance worker reportedly found gay pornographic materials in Allain's personal residence and reported this to the media.
Allain also sought and received a change in the Mississippi state constitution to allow himself to run for a second term, but he declined to run for re-election.
Preceded by: William Winter | Governor of Mississippi 1984-1988 | Succeeded by: Ray Mabus |