Changes

Bankston married the former Ruth Paine (1918–1997), a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter R. Paine, Sr. She was a member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Democratic Executive Committee and was a delegate to two [[Democratic National Convention]]s. The Bankstons had a daughter, Shirley B. Newsham, and three sons, Dale Leon Bankston, Larry Stephen Bankston, and Jesse Bankston, Jr. Larry Bankston, an [[attorney]], served as a Democratic member of the Baton Rouge City-Parish Commission and as a state senator.​

Bankston married the former Ruth Paine (1918–1997), a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter R. Paine, Sr. She was a member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Democratic Executive Committee and was a delegate to two [[Democratic National Convention]]s. The Bankstons had a daughter, Shirley B. Newsham, and three sons, Dale Leon Bankston, Larry Stephen Bankston, and Jesse Bankston, Jr. Larry Bankston, an [[attorney]], served as a Democratic member of the Baton Rouge City-Parish Commission and as a state senator.​

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==Career==​

==Career==

Oddly, Bankston began government service in 1940 under Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]], a staunch [[Earl Long|anti-Long]] political figure. Bankston was first a management consultant charged with reorganization of state government. In 1942, he became an organizational specialist in the Louisiana Civil Service Department established through the work of attorney [[Charles Dunbar]].​

Oddly, Bankston began government service in 1940 under Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]], a staunch [[Earl Long|anti-Long]] political figure. Bankston was first a management consultant charged with reorganization of state government. In 1942, he became an organizational specialist in the Louisiana Civil Service Department established through the work of attorney [[Charles Dunbar]].

 

Bankston moved to the state Department of Institutions in 1944 under Governor [[Jimmie Davis]] as administrative assistant. He was appointed director of the Department of Institutions in 1947. After serving as the appointed director of the Louisiana Hospital Board from 1948 to 1952 under Governor Earl Long, Bankston left state government with the incoming administration of [[Robert F. Kennon]].​

Bankston moved to the state Department of Institutions in 1944 under Governor [[Jimmie Davis]] as administrative assistant. He was appointed director of the Department of Institutions in 1947. After serving as the appointed director of the Louisiana Hospital Board from 1948 to 1952 under Governor Earl Long, Bankston left state government with the incoming administration of [[Robert F. Kennon]].​

 

He opened a health-care consulting firm, Bankston and Associates. With the return of Governor Long in 1956, Bankston was appointed the director of the newly established Department of Hospitals, where he served until the 1959 dispute over Long's mental health. At that time, Bankston returned to his consulting business, which he maintained until 1990, when he turned eighty-three.<ref name=obit/>​

He opened a health-care consulting firm, Bankston and Associates. With the return of Governor Long in 1956, Bankston was appointed the director of the newly established Department of Hospitals, where he served until the 1959 dispute over Long's mental health. At that time, Bankston returned to his consulting business, which he maintained until 1990, when he turned eighty-three.<ref name=obit/>​

 

==Political affairs==​

==Political affairs==​

Bankston was the longest-serving elected member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (1968 to 1996). He represented the [[Baton Rouge-based 6th congressional district on the board. As a BESE member in 1990, he joined a group that attempted to oust Dorothy Garrett Smith of Springhill, the first woman president of the board. The dissenters fell one vote short of their goal, but Smith died of heart failure a month after the move against her.<ref>"Heart Attack Claims Dorothy Smith," ''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' August 9, 1990, p. 1.</ref>​

Bankston was the longest-serving elected member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (1968 to 1996). He represented the [[Baton Rouge-based 6th congressional district on the board. As a BESE member in 1990, he joined a group that attempted to oust Dorothy Garrett Smith of Springhill, the first woman president of the board. The dissenters fell one vote short of their goal, but Smith died of heart failure a month after the move against her.<ref>"Heart Attack Claims Dorothy Smith," ''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' August 9, 1990, p. 1.</ref>​

 

Bankston was the longest-serving member of the powerful [[Democratic Party|Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee]], a party administrative body which he joined in 1960,<ref name=obit/> when Jimmie Davis began his second nonconsecutive term as governor.<ref name=autogenerated1 />​

Bankston was the longest-serving member of the powerful [[Democratic Party|Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee]], a party administrative body which he joined in 1960,<ref name=obit/> when Jimmie Davis began his second nonconsecutive term as governor.<ref name=autogenerated1/>​

 

As the director of the Department of Institutions, an agency that encompassed both corrections and hospitals, Bankston wanted employees to have access to loans. He established the Department of Hospitals Credit Union, which subsequently became the "Pelican State Credit Union."<ref name=autogenerated1 />​

As the director of the Department of Institutions, an agency that encompassed both corrections and hospitals, Bankston wanted employees to have access to loans. He established the Department of Hospitals Credit Union, which subsequently became the "Pelican State Credit Union."<ref name=autogenerated1/>​

 

After his dismissal by Long, Bankston began his work for Democratic candidates and causes, having helped to deliver Louisiana's then ten [[electoral vote]]s for the [[John F. Kennedy|Kennedy]]-[[Lyndon B. Johnson|Johnson]] ticket. The Democrats easily carried Louisiana over the [[Republican Party|Republicans]]  [[Richard M. Nixon]] and [[Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.]], and a States' Rights Party state slate that included future Governor [[David C. Treen]].​

After his dismissal by Long, Bankston began his work for Democratic candidates and causes, having helped to deliver Louisiana's then ten [[electoral vote]]s for the [[John F. Kennedy|Kennedy]]-[[Lyndon B. Johnson|Johnson]] ticket. The Democrats easily carried Louisiana over the [[Republican Party|Republicans]]  [[Richard M. Nixon]] and [[Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.]], and a States' Rights Party state slate that included future Governor [[David C. Treen]].​

 

Bankston joined the boards of the newly established Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB). Public Broadcasting President [[Beth Courtney]] told ''The Baton Rouge Advocate'' that Bankston never missed a board meeting: "He asks good questions, built on a lifetime of public service. He’s got good advice. He's got experience."<ref name=autogenerated1 />​

Bankston joined the boards of the newly established Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB). Public Broadcasting President [[Beth Courtney]] told ''The Baton Rouge Advocate'' that Bankston never missed a board meeting: "He asks good questions, built on a lifetime of public service. He’s got good advice. He's got experience."<ref name=autogenerated1/>​

 

In 1970, Bankston challenged [[conservative]] [[U.S. Representative]] John Richard Rarick (1924-2009) for re-nomination to a third term in the  6th congressional district. A former state court judge, Rarick prevailed, 57,835 votes (58.9 percent) to Bankston's 40,450 (41.1 percent). Rarich was the unopposed in the [[general election]]<ref>''Louisiana Almanac, 2006.''</ref>​ but was ousted in the Democratic primary in 1974.

In 1970, Bankston challenged [[conservative]] [[U.S. Representative]] John Richard Rarick (1924-2009) for re-nomination to a third term in the  6th congressional district. A former state court judge, Rarick prevailed, 57,835 votes (58.9 percent) to Bankston's 40,450 (41.1 percent). Rarich was the unopposed in the [[general election]]<ref>''Louisiana Almanac, 2006.''</ref>​ but was ousted in the Democratic primary in 1974.

 

In the 1979 [[governor of Louisiana|gubernatorial]] general election campaign, Bankston obtained a [[censure]] resolution against two failed Democratic candidates [[E.L. "Bubba" Henry]] and Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton, Jr., both of whom openly endorsed the successful Republican candidate, former Democrat David Treen. Bankston warned Mouton, then an outgoing [[Louisiana State Legislature|state senator]] from [[Lafayette]] and one generally considered to have been a liberal lawmaker, that "if he thinks he is going to get all those people who voted for him in the primary to vote for a Republican, I think he's looking through rose-colored glasses." Bankston questioned whether Treen had agreed to assist in the retirement of Mouton's campaign debts.<ref>''[[Shreveport Journal]],'' November 14, 1979, p. 1.</ref> Bankston blamed confusion over the certification of Democratic candidate [[Louis Lambert]] in part to the competition between the [[Associated Press]] and [[United Press International]] in attempting to be the first to report the ballot tabulations. The Democratic committee did not censure two other Democratic gubernatorial candidates who backed Treen, outgoing Secretary of State Paul Jude Hardy, later the first Republican to serve as lieutenant governor of Louisiana since [[Reconstruction]] and outgoing Lieutenant Governor [[Jimmy Fitzmorris]] because their support for Treen came after the committee had met.​

In the 1979 [[Governor|gubernatorial]] general election campaign, Bankston obtained a [[censure]] resolution against two failed Democratic candidates [[E. L. "Bubba" Henry]] and Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton, Jr., both of whom openly endorsed the successful Republican candidate, former Democrat David Treen. Bankston warned Mouton, then an outgoing [[Louisiana State Legislature|state senator]] from [[Lafayette]] and one generally considered to have been a liberal lawmaker, that "if he thinks he is going to get all those people who voted for him in the primary to vote for a Republican, I think he's looking through rose-colored glasses." Bankston questioned whether Treen had agreed to assist in the retirement of Mouton's campaign debts.<ref>''[[Shreveport Journal]],'' November 14, 1979, p. 1.</ref> Bankston blamed confusion over the certification of Democratic candidate [[Louis Lambert]] in part to the competition between the [[Associated Press]] and [[United Press International]] in attempting to be the first to report the ballot tabulations. The Democratic committee did not censure two other Democratic gubernatorial candidates who backed Treen, outgoing Secretary of State Paul Jude Hardy, later the first Republican to serve as lieutenant governor of Louisiana since [[Reconstruction]] and outgoing Lieutenant Governor [[Jimmy Fitzmorris]] because their support for Treen came after the committee had met.

 

In 1982, Bankston was unseated, 56 to 44 percent, from the BESE board by his fellow Democrat, former State Representative Lillian Walker Walker (1923-2016), also of Baton Rouge.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 2, 1982.</ref>​

In 1982, Bankston was unseated, 56 to 44 percent, from the BESE board by his fellow Democrat, former State Representative Lillian Walker Walker (1923-2016), also of Baton Rouge.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 2, 1982.</ref>​

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==Bankston on the Democrat future==​

==Bankston on the Democrat future==​

In a printed interview in 1980, Bankston said that the Louisiana Democratic Party apparatus was in excellent condition despite having lost the governorship for the first time since 1872: <blockquote>

In a printed interview in 1980, Bankston said that the Louisiana Democratic Party apparatus was in excellent condition despite having lost the governorship for the first time since 1872:

Why, for years, the party was just kind of performing ministerial duties and didn't do anything from a political standpoint. We supported state Democrats and national Republicans. But with President [[Jimmy Carter|Carter]]'s election in 1976 -- when we carried Louisiana for only the third time since 1944 -- we broke away from the old Perez group. We were able to get blacks as officers for the first time. We elected Henry "Hank" Braden, an [[African American]] state senator from [[New Orleans]]] as national committeeman. That was the first time we actually came out, as a party, and endorsed the national party's presidential ticket, and that caused a real revolution.<ref name=sj>''Shreveport Journal,'' March 20, 1980, p. 4D.</ref></blockquote>​

<blockquote>

Why, for years, the party was just kind of performing ministerial duties and didn't do anything from a political standpoint. We supported state Democrats and national Republicans. But with President [[Jimmy Carter|Carter]]'s election in 1976 -- when we carried Louisiana for only the third time since 1944 -- we broke away from the old Perez group. We were able to get blacks as officers for the first time. We elected Henry "Hank" Braden, an [[African American]] state senator from [[New Orleans]]] as national committeeman. That was the first time we actually came out, as a party, and endorsed the national party's presidential ticket, and that caused a real revolution.<ref name=sj>''Shreveport Journal,'' March 20, 1980, p. 4D.</ref></blockquote>​

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Bankston noted that during the time that the state Democrats balked over their national nominees, the much smaller Louisiana GOP had largely rallied to support its candidates. Bankston said that he had warned the Louisiana Democratic congressional representatives in 1979 that Republican Treen could take the governorship:​

Bankston noted that during the time that the state Democrats balked over their national nominees, the much smaller Louisiana GOP had largely rallied to support its candidates.<ref>This did not apply to the 2015 gubernatorial general election, when two failed Republican candidates refused to support [[U.S. Senator]] [[David Vitter]] in the race against Democrat [[John Bel Edwards]].</ref> Bankston said that he had warned the Louisiana Democratic congressional representatives in 1979 that Republican Treen could take the governorship:​

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<blockquote>"I went to [[Washington, D.C.]], to meet with the Democrats in the congressional delegation and the national party people, and I told them that unless we get our act together and get some money and organization, the Republicans were going to take it. But they wouldn't listen. They said, 'Louisiana is a surplus state: we don't ever put money into Louisiana.' I said, 'Well, this time you better, or you are going to lose the governor and maybe then the congressional delegation<ref>By the time of Bankston's death, the Republicans held six of the seven congressional seats from Louisiana.</ref> because the governor's office in Louisiana is the most powerful office in the United States<ref>In Louisiana, despite the separation of powers, the governor selected the House [[Speaker]] and the president of the state Senate.</ref> except the office of [[U.S. President]], and the governor can have a lot of influence on who is elected to Congress."<ref name=sj/></blockquote>​

<blockquote>"I went to [[Washington, D.C.]], to meet with the Democrats in the congressional delegation and the national party people, and I told them that unless we get our act together and get some money and organization, the Republicans were going to take it. But they wouldn't listen. They said, 'Louisiana is a surplus state: we don't ever put money into Louisiana.' I said, 'Well, this time you better, or you are going to lose the governor and maybe then the congressional delegation<ref>By the time of Bankston's death, the Republicans held six of the seven congressional seats from Louisiana.</ref> because the governor's office in Louisiana is the most powerful office in the United States<ref>In Louisiana, despite the separation of powers, the governor selected the House [[Speaker]] and the president of the state Senate.</ref> except the office of [[U.S. President]], and the governor can have a lot of influence on who is elected to Congress."<ref name=sj/></blockquote>​