Allen Ellender

Allen J. Ellender was a loyal lieutenant of Huey Long's Louisiana political machine during a sixty year political career that included 35 years in the United States Senate. He was the Majority Leader of the Louisiana State House of Representatives while Long was Governor, and went to the Senate in 1936 after the Kingfish was assasinated. The old-fashioned Southern Democrat served as Chairman of the Senate Approriations Committee and as Senate President Pro-Tempore -- third in the line of presidential succession.

In 1972, Ellender, 81-years-old and considered to be in good health, was a candidate for re-election to a seventh six-year term. He drew two primary opponents-- 39-year-old moderate J. Bennett Johnston, who had served one term in the Louisiana State Senate before waging an unsuccessful bid for Governor in 1971 -- and political unknown Frank Allen. Few pundits believed Ellender was at any real risk of losing.

But on July 28 -- just 22 days before the Democratic primary -- Ellender complained of stomach pains during a flight back to Washington. He died of a heart attack shortly after.

Allen J. Ellender was a loyal lieutenant of Huey Long's Louisiana political machine during a sixty year political career that included 35 years in the United States Senate. He was the Majority Leader of the Louisiana State House of Representatives while Long was Governor, and went to the Senate in 1936 after the Kingfish was assasinated. The old-fashioned Southern Democrat served as Chairman of the Senate Approriations Committee and as Senate President Pro-Tempore -- third in the line of presidential succession.

In 1972, Ellender, 81-years-old and considered to be in good health, was a candidate for re-election to a seventh six-year term. He drew two primary opponents-- 39-year-old moderate J. Bennett Johnston, who had served one term in the Louisiana State Senate before waging an unsuccessful bid for Governor in 1971 -- and political unknown Frank Allen. Few pundits believed Ellender was at any real risk of losing.

But on July 28 -- just 22 days before the Democratic primary -- Ellender complained of stomach pains during a flight back to Washington. He died of a heart attack shortly after.