Romney, George Wilcken [key], 1907–95, U.S. public official, b. Mexico, of American parents. He worked (1920–30) as a Senate staff tariff specialist and then entered industry. He became nationally prominent as the developer of the first successful American compact automobile while president (1954–62) of American Motors. He became active in Republican politics in Michigan, and in 1962 was elected the first Republican governor of the state since 1946. Twice reelected, he also was an unsuccessful candidate for the 1968 Republican presidential nomination. He served as secretary of housing and urban development from 1969 to 1973. He also was active in prompting volunteer service and in the Mormon church.
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