Gerald Lee Baliles (July 8, 1940 – October 29, 2019) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician from the Commonwealth of Virginia whose career spanned great social and technological changes in his native state.

After another stint in private legal practice, with Hunton & Williams (1991-2005), Baliles directed the nonpartisan Miller Center of Public Affairs associated with his alma mater, the University of Virginia (2006-2014).

Following his admission to the Virginia bar, Baliles accepted an entry-level position as an assistant attorney general in the state capital, Richmond, where he gained expertise in environmental law.

Since Virginia's state constitution limits governors to non-consecutive single terms in office, Baliles ran to succeed Robb and won both the Democratic primary and general election.

In 1986, he guided a $422 million-a-year revenue package through a special session of the General Assembly to improve Virginia's transportation system, even daring to raise gasoline taxes and advocate toll roads.

Another of Baliles's key priorities as governor was ensuring the state's ability to participate and compete in world markets, and during his administration Virginia's international trade grew substantially.

Despite a national recession in the final year of his term, Baliles's popularity helped secure the narrow election of Douglas Wilder as governor in 1989.

After his term as governor ended in 1990, Baliles returned to private law practice as a partner in the national firm Hunton & Williams based in Richmond, Virginia.

He specialized in aviation and international law, negotiating agreements between airlines and airports, worked on strategic alliances between carriers, and led coalitions to expand market access and protect environmental standards.

Baliles received eleven honorary degrees, including the Harry F. Byrd Public Service Award from the Virginia Military Institute in 2006.

His son Jon Baliles continued the family's political tradition, winning election to the Richmond City Council (a part-time position) in 2012,[8][9] and currently[when?]

[11][12] Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that state flags would fly at half mast until November 28, 2019, to honor Baliles' service to the Commonwealth.