The Long Brothers

Introduction

State elections occur in odd years, with gubernatorial elections always held year prior to presidential election. Like rest of south, for most of 20th century, Louisiana had the one-party system dominated by Democratic Party. As the result, in Louisiana, party designation means less than it does in most other states. This is also case because of open primary system where individuals from same party can compete against each other. From 1928, when Huey Long was elected governor, until 1960s, this factionalism manifested itself as two Democratic divisions, those who supported Long (usually have-nots) and those did not support Long (haves). (Theodore, 48)

Comparison between two Brothers

Electoral History

Immediately following Civil War, Union forces still occupied Louisiana. Louisiana remained occupied 1865-71. Most of Louisianan governors during this period of occupation were Republican, and were appointed by Union generals. After occupation ended, every governor belonged to Democratic Party. The Democratic Party was already somewhat factional, but all factions were white, moneyed elites. (Hair, 222)

The Old Regulars in New Orleans were one powerful faction that controlled much of Louisiana politics throughout Reconstruction. African Americans were not active participants in Louisiana politics after Union forces left state, because enforcement mechanism departed. The Old Regulars, also known as Regulars, successfully dominated Louisiana politics in coalition with moneyed elites from end of reconstruction through 1928, when Huey Pierce Long assumed governorship. (Williams, 623)

Louisiana bore the striking similarity to Mississippi, Alabama, and other Deep South states in terms of its political arrangements until Huey Long, through populist appeals, successfully mobilized the large number of nonvoters during his campaigns of 1920s. Following his successful bids for railroad commission, governor, and finally senator, Huey Long and his family effectively dominated Louisiana politics until mid-1950s. Huey Long's first elected position was for the seat on state Railroad Commission; he lost in primary of his first run for governor in 1924. In 1928, Long managed to activate the large number of poor farmers from north Louisiana when he ran for governor for the second time. (Williams, 876)

In this campaign, he was successful, and this success contributed to development of the bi-factional system in Louisianan politics that would endure for many years. Long advocated state programs aimed at poor white citizens. These two factions diverged along socio-economic lines: poorer sectors of population supported Long and his allies, while wealth supported an ever-changing slate of reformers. Long was able to successfully sue Standard Oil and several other oil companies for the piece of their profits: profits that would be funneled into his programs for education, river management, and free medical care for indigent. These sorely needed programs guaranteed support of poor Louisianans for Long and his faction for many years. Long's assassination in 1935 ended his political career, but not his faction's presence in politics. Despite his death, his political allies and faction members continued to win elected positions. (William, 15)

The Truman Civil Rights Commission Report of 1947 and adoption of some of its precepts into National Democratic Party's platform for 1948 so ...