He attended public schools in Lynn and Swampscott and graduated from Boston University.

[2] In 1956, Richard I. Furbush did not run for re-election and Graham sought to succeed him as Senate President.

[3] However, Holmes chose not to abide by the caucus decision and ran against Graham and Democratic leader John E. Powers for the Senate Presidency.

On the second ballot, Holmes won the Presidency with twenty votes to Graham's sixteen and Powers' four.

After he left the Senate he was appointed to an eight year term on the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority by Governor Volpe.