Walter "Dee" Huddleston

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.

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 (1926-04-15)April 15, 1926 Burkesville, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	October 16, 2018(2018-10-16) (aged 92) Warsaw, Kentucky, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	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

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

1. "Walter 'Dee' Huddleston, who lost Senate seat to Mitch McConnell, dies". Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
2. "Former U.S. Sen. Walter 'Dee' Huddleston dies at 92". Kentucky. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
3. Sheroan, Ben (October 16, 2018). "Broadcaster turned legislator, Dee Huddleston impacted area". The News-Enterprise. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
4. "Walter 'Dee' Huddleston, former U.S. Senator, dies at age 92 at son's home in Warsaw". Kentucky Forward. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
5. "Former Kentucky U.S. Senator Walter 'Dee' Huddleston has died". WDRB. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
6. "Former US Sen. Walter 'Dee' Huddleston dies at 92". Herald Mail Media. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
7. "Nixon sweeps to landslide victory". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. November 8, 1972. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
8. "KY US Senate". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
9. "Walter Huddleston, Kentucky Senator Who Preceded Mitch McConnell, Dead at 92". RollCall. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
10. Mayer, Jane (15 February 2012). "Who Let the Attack-Ad Dogs Out?". New Yorker. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
11. Mark R. Chellgren (November 7, 1984). "Dee upset by McConnell in close race". Williamson Daily News. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
12. "Former US Sen. Walter 'Dee' Huddleston dies at 92". Finger Lake Times. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
13. "Former Kentucky senator Dee Huddleston dead at 92". The Hill. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
14. "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.

Party political offices
Preceded by John Y. Brown Sr.	Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Kentucky (Class 2) 1972, 1978, 1984	Succeeded by Harvey I. Sloane
Preceded by Les AuCoin, Joe Biden, Bill Bradley, Robert Byrd, Tom Daschle, Bill Hefner, Barbara B. Kennelly, George Miller, Tip O'Neill, Paul Tsongas, Tim Wirth	Response to the State of the Union address 1984 Served alongside: Max Baucus, Joe Biden, David Boren, Barbara Boxer, Robert Byrd, Dante Fascell, William H. Gray, Tom Harkin, Carl Levin, Tip O'Neill, Claiborne Pell	Succeeded by Bill Clinton Bob Graham Tip O'Neill
U.S. Senate
Preceded by John Sherman Cooper	U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Kentucky 1973–1985 Served alongside: Marlow Cook, Wendell H. Ford	Succeeded by Mitch McConnell