Wright Patman
John William Wright Patman (August 6, 1893 – March 7, 1976), known as Wright Patman, was a populist Democrat and liberal[1] segregationist from Texas who represented the state's 2nd and 1st congressional districts in Congress for over five decades. A supporter of the New Deal and similar federal initiatives, Patman consistently maintained left-wing stances on economics throughout his career.
U.S. House of Representatives
Patman first ran for the House in 1928, facing incumbent Democrat Eugene Black in the Democrat primary. After campaigning on a populist platform attacking Black as being too pro-business, he won the party nomination and easily emerged victorious in the general election.[2][3]
During the Herbert Hoover's second term, Patman backed a resolution by Pennsylvania Republican Louis T. McFadden to impeach the president.[2] He also advocated legislation to provide more benefits to veterans.
In the FDR era, Patman consistently supported New Deal programs even after Roosevelt's second term, a stance not common among many Southern Democrats.[2] His ideology and voting patterns were rooted in the Democratic Party's Jacksonian traditions in fiercely attacking large businesses and banks.
References
- ↑ Grant, Jr., Philip A. Patman, John William Wright (1893–1976). Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 FascinatingPolitics (July 3, 2021). Texas Legends #7: Wright Patman. Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ↑ TX District 01 Race - Nov 06, 1928. Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
External links
- Profile at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress