Linwood E. Palmer Jr. was born in 1921 in Maine and pursued higher education at Colby College, Andover Newton Theological School, and the University of Maine. He began his career in public service, serving in the Maine House of Representatives and later in the Maine Senate. After a period away from the legislature, Palmer returned to the Maine House of Representatives, where he eventually became the House Minority Leader. He also ran for Governor of Maine as a Republican but was unsuccessful in his bid.