Sáenz Garza, Aarón (1891-1983)
He was one of the most powerful men in Mexico,
serving as governor of two states, a cabinet officer three times, a federal
deputy, a Senator, a precandidate for the presidency of the country in 1929, and
as a multimillionaire. He was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León on June 1, 1891. He
earned a law degree from the national law school. In 1913, he was a general on
the general staff of Alvaro
Obregón. Was a federal Deputy to the 27th Congress.
He was ambassador to Brazil in 1919-20. Undersecretary of Foreign Relations
under Adolfo de la
Huerta, he became Secretary of Foreign Relations under
Obregón in 1924 and continued under Plutarco
E. Calles. He was Governor of Nuevo León in
1921 and in 1927 when he replaced the very corrupt General Porfirio González.
As governor, he was very effective supporting education, having roads built,
getting a natural gas line from Texas, and getting numerous public works done.
He tried to get the presidential nomination of the Partido Nacional
Revolucionario of which he was a founding member and since he was closely tied
to Obregón who had just been assassinated, many thought Calles would choose
him. He chose Pascual Ortiz Rubio, instead, to run in the 1929 election. In
1930, he was Secretary of Public Education, in 1931, he was Secretary of
Industry, Commerce, and Labor. Later, he was in charge of the Federal District.
He was campaign manager for Alvaro Obregón in 1928. He was a successful
businessman, aided by his political connections. He was President of the
National Sugar Growers Association, of the Sugar Growers Bank, and of the
National Producers of Alcohol. He continued to be an advisor to Presidents long
after he left public life.
See Juan López de Escalera, Diccionario Biográfico y de Historia de México.
México, Editorial del Magisterio, 1964.
Don Mabry
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