Walter Dee Huddleston | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from Kentucky | |
| In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1985 | |
| Preceded by | John Cooper |
| Succeeded by | Mitch McConnell |
| Member of the Kentucky Senate from the 10th district | |
| In office January 4, 1966 – December 1972 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Fuqua |
| Succeeded by | Joe Prather |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Walter Darlington Huddleston April 15, 1926 Burkesville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 2018 (aged 92) Warsaw, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jean Pearce (1947–2003) |
| Education | University of Kentucky (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1944–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Walter Darlington "Dee" Huddleston (April 15, 1926 – October 16, 2018) was an American politician. He was a Democrat from Kentucky who represented the state in the United States Senate from 1973 until 1985.
Early life
Huddleston was born in Burkesville, Kentucky.[1] After he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a tank gunner in Europe during and after World War II from 1944 to 1946.[2] He then attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington, from which he graduated in 1949.[1] In 1947 he married Martha Jean Pearce, who died in 2003.[3]
Career
Huddleston entered politics in 1964 when he was elected to the Kentucky State Senate.[4] He was elected as a state senator in 1965, serving until 1972; for a time, he was the body's majority leader.[4]
In 1972, Huddleston ran for the United States Senate seat which was being vacated by retiring Republican John Sherman Cooper.[5] He narrowly defeated Republican Louie B. Nunn, a recent former governor, receiving a 51% to 48% margin.[6] Huddleston was reelected in 1978 with 61 percent of the vote over the former Republican state Representative Louie R. Guenthner, Jr., of Louisville.[7]
In 1984, Huddleston's Republican opponent was Jefferson County (Louisville) Judge-Executive Mitch McConnell.[1] McConnell gained political traction with a series of television campaign ads making sport of Huddleston's attendance record in the Senate.[8] McConnell accused him of putting "his private speaking engagements ahead of his Senate responsibilities."[9] Despite these ads, the race was very close, with McConnell only defeating Huddleston when the last returns came in (49.9%-to-49.5%).[10]
Post-Senate career
Huddleston was known as a member of the moderate wing of the Democratic Party, as was typical of party members from Kentucky.[11]
In the late 1980s, Huddleston served on the National Board of Advisors of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, an anti-immigration group advocating for a lower rate of legal immigration.[12]
In 2012, Huddleston announced he was stepping down as Chairman of First Financial Service Corporation.[13]
Death
Huddleston died on October 16, 2018 in Warsaw, Kentucky at the age of 92.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Walter 'Dee' Huddleston, who lost Senate seat to Mitch McConnell, dies". Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ "Former U.S. Sen. Walter 'Dee' Huddleston dies at 92". Kentucky. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ "Walter 'Dee' Huddleston, former U.S. Senator, dies at age 92 at son's home in Warsaw". Kentucky Forward. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ a b "Former Kentucky U.S. Senator Walter 'Dee' Huddleston has died". WDRB. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ "Former US Sen. Walter 'Dee' Huddleston dies at 92". Herald Mail Media. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ "Nixon sweeps to landslide victory". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. November 8, 1972. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
- ^ "KY US Senate". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ "Walter Huddleston, Kentucky Senator Who Preceded Mitch McConnell, Dead at 92". RollCall. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ Mayer, Jane (15 February 2012). "Who Let the Attack-Ad Dogs Out?". New Yorker. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ Mark R. Chellgren (November 7, 1984). "Dee upset by McConnell in close race". Williamson Daily News. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- ^ "Former US Sen. Walter 'Dee' Huddleston dies at 92". Finger Lake Times. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ "Former Kentucky senator Dee Huddleston dead at 92". The Hill. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ "CEO of First Financial in Kentucky Stepping Down for Health Reasons". Americanbanker.com. 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
External links
- United States Congress. "Walter Dee Huddleston (id: H000905)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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