DOVER-FOXCROFT – A longtime Maine legislator from Nobleboro who was the Republican nominee for governor 30 years ago has died at a hospital in Dover-Foxcroft.

The Senate Republican caucus said Linwood Palmer Jr. died July 24. He was 87.

Palmer was first elected to the Maine House in 1947 at age 24 and went on to the Senate in 1950. He returned to the House in the 1970s and served two terms as minority leader.

Palmer won the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 1978 but lost to Democrat Joseph Brennan in a three-way general election.

U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe and former Gov. John R. McKernan released the following statement:

“We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Lin, who was not only an extraordinary public servant but was also our dear friend. Lin cared deeply for the people of Maine and he served them with unparalleled distinction in the state Legislature during a career that spanned four decades.

“We both had the pleasure of working side-by-side with him in the 1970s, and Jock had the additional privilege of serving as the assistant minority leader from 1975 to 1977 when Lin was the minority leader in the state House of Representatives. We feel extremely fortunate to have served with this passionate and committed person of such integrity.”

A memorial service will be held Thursday at the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro.