John McKeithen

John Julian McKeithen (born May 28, 1918 in Grayson , Caldwell Parish , Louisiana ; † June 4, 1999 in Columbia , Louisiana) was an American politician and governor of the state of Louisiana from 1964 to 1972 .

Early years

John McKeithen first attended the local schools in his home country. After a brief stint at High Point College in North Carolina , he studied at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge . There he also took his law exam. During the Second World War he was used as a first lieutenant in an infantry division in the Pacific region. There he was involved in many battles, including the Battle of Okinawa . After the war, McKeithen opened a law firm in Columbia.

Rise in Louisiana

John McKeithen became a member of the Democratic Party . Between 1948 and 1952 he was an MP in the Louisiana House of Representatives . There he was considered a supporter of Governor Earl Long . In 1952 he ran unsuccessfully for the office of lieutenant governor . From 1954 to 1964 he was a member of the five-member Public Service Commission of Louisiana. He was also the chairman of an Interstate Oil Commission . In 1964 he was elected the new governor of his state.

Louisiana Governor

McKeithen took up his new office on May 12, 1964. After a constitutional amendment and a re-election that became possible as a result, he was able to remain in office until May 9, 1972. During this time he promoted the economic development of his state. He attracted many companies from outside his state to Louisiana. At that time the Superdome was built in New Orleans against much resistance . Additional insurance was introduced for employees in the public sector. Ethnic standards were also prescribed in this area. During his tenure, the state's road network was also expanded. McKeithen had his greatest successes in the field of racial politics. Through his prudent and moderate policies, racial unrest like in other southern states of the USA could be avoided. This is all the more astonishing because McKeithen was originally a supporter of racial segregation and only turned around over time. In New Orleans, he appointed two African American judges. That hadn't happened since the end of the reconstruction policy in the late 1860s. The popular governor was able to push through a constitutional amendment that allowed him (and all future governors of Louisiana) a second continuous term.

McKeithen was not free from temptation. So around 1970 an attempt was made to bring him into connection with the Mafia . In fact, 39 government employees were charged with their association with this institution. A participation of the governor could not be proven.

Another résumé

After his tenure ended, McKeithen worked as a farmer and lawyer. An attempt to be elected to the US Senate failed in 1972. He then became head of an oil and gas company and was a member of the board of directors of Louisiana State University . John McKeithen died in June 1999. He and his wife Marjorie Howell Funderburk had six children, including their son W. Fox McKeithen (1946-2005), who became a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and converted to the Republican Party .

Web links

• John McKeithen in the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of Louisiana (English)
• John McKeithen in the database of Find a Grave (English)