Earl Long

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Earl Long

Earl Kemp Long (born August 26, 1895 in Winnfield , Winn Parish , Louisiana , † September 5, 1960 in Alexandria , Louisiana) was an American politician and between 1939 and 1960 three-time governor of the state of Louisiana.

Early years and political advancement

Earl Long was the younger brother of Huey Pierce Long , who had served as governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and then a US senator until he was assassinated in 1935 . Earl Long attended Tulane University and then studied law at Loyola University New Orleans . Like his brother, Earl became a member of the Democratic Party . Between 1928 and 1932 he was head of the tax office in Orleans Parish . At that time he had fallen out with his brother, who was then the most powerful and influential politician in Louisiana. When Earl Long applied for the office of lieutenant governor in 1931 , he was defeated mainly because of the lack of support from his brother. Later the two found each other again.

After his brother was murdered in 1935, Earl Long gradually took over the leadership of the Louisiana Democrats. In 1936 he became Lieutenant Governor and representative of Governor Richard W. Leche . After he resigned from his post on June 26, 1939, under the pressure of corruption allegations, Earl Long fell to this position as acting lieutenant governor.

Louisiana Governor

First, Long had to end the beginning of his predecessor's term of office. This ran until May 14, 1940. Long applied for a term of office of his own for the upcoming gubernatorial elections in 1940. However, he could not prevail in the primary elections of his party against Sam H. Jones and therefore had to give up his office in May. In 1944, Long ran unsuccessfully for the office of lieutenant governor. On April 20, 1948, Earl Long was elected governor of Louisiana. His second term began on May 11, 1948 and ended on May 13, 1952. During this time, the salaries of teachers were increased to make this profession more attractive. Various taxes were raised and the civil service was reformed.

Due to a constitutional clause, Long was not allowed to run again directly in 1952. But in April 1956 he was re-elected to the office of governor, which he then assumed on May 8 and held until May 10, 1960. During his last term in office, free lunches were introduced in schools. The salaries of the African American teachers have been adjusted to that of the white teachers. Long also campaigned for an improvement in suffrage for the black population. This created an opposition of conservative forces that he had to grapple with. Regardless, his last term in office was overshadowed by increasing health problems. At times he even had to be admitted to a mental hospital. Due to his power as governor, he released himself from the institution and fired the director, who was replaced by a partisan.

End of life

Long's grave in Winnfield

Despite his health problems, Long was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1960 after his governorship ended . He could no longer take up this mandate because he died earlier. Earl Long was married to Blanche B. Revere.

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personal data
SURNAME Long, Earl
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Long, Earl Kemp (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH August 26, 1895
PLACE OF BIRTH Winnfield , Louisiana
DATE OF DEATH 5th September 1960
Place of death Alexandria , Louisiana