Walter Dee Huddleston
 | This article is missing information about actions in office, political positions. (January 2021) |
Walter Dee Huddleston | |
|---|---|
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| 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(s) | Jean Pearce
(m. 1947; died 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. Huddleston lost his 1984 Senate re-election campaign to Mitch McConnell in an upset by about 5100 votes.
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 with support from the G.I. Bill, and he graduated in 1949.[1][3] In 1947, Huddleston married Martha Jean Pearce, who died in 2003.[4]
After graduating from college, Huddleston worked as the sports and program director for WKCT in Bowling Green, Kentucky.[2] In 1952, he became the general manager of WIEL in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.[3] He later became president of the Kentucky Broadcasters Association.[2]
Career[]
Huddleston entered politics in 1964 when he was elected to the Kentucky State Senate.[5] He was elected as a state senator in 1965, serving until 1972; for a time, he was the body's majority leader.[5]
In 1972, Huddleston ran for the United States Senate seat which was being vacated by retiring Republican John Sherman Cooper.[6] He narrowly defeated Republican Louie B. Nunn, a recent former governor, receiving a 51% to 48% margin.[7] Huddleston was reelected in 1978 with 61 percent of the vote over the former Republican state Representative Louie R. Guenthner Jr., of Louisville.[8]
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 mocking Huddleston's attendance record in the Senate.[9] McConnell accused him of putting "his private speaking engagements ahead of his Senate responsibilities."[10] Despite these ads, the race was very close, with McConnell only defeating Huddleston when the last returns came in (49.9% to 49.5%).[11]
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.[12]
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.[13]
In 2012, Huddleston announced he was stepping down as chairman of First Financial Service Corporation.[14]
Death[]
Huddleston died on October 16, 2018 in Warsaw, Kentucky, in his sleep at his son Stephen's house. He was 92 years old.[1]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Walter 'Dee' Huddleston, who lost Senate seat to Mitch McConnell, dies". Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Former U.S. Sen. Walter 'Dee' Huddleston dies at 92". Kentucky. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Sheroan, Ben (October 16, 2018). "Broadcaster turned legislator, Dee Huddleston impacted area". The News-Enterprise. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ "Walter 'Dee' Huddleston, former U.S. Senator, dies at age 92 at son's home in Warsaw". Kentucky Forward. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: 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 (February 15, 2012). "Who Let the Attack-Ad Dogs Out?". New Yorker. Retrieved October 5, 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. February 10, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
External links[]
- United States Congress. "Walter Dee Huddleston (id: H000905)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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- 1926 births
- 2018 deaths
- United States Army personnel of World War II
- American radio executives
- Democratic Party United States senators
- Kentucky Democrats
- Kentucky state senators
- Military personnel from Kentucky
- People from Burkesville, Kentucky
- People from Elizabethtown, Kentucky
- United States Army soldiers
- United States senators from Kentucky
- University of Kentucky alumni