MLK Library

LONG, Huey Pierce, (husband of Rose McConnell Long, father of Russell B. Long, brother of George S. Long, and cousin of Speedy P. Long), a Senator from Louisiana; born on a farm near Winnfield, Winn Parish, La., August 30, 1893; attended the public schools at Winnfield and University of Oklahoma School of Law; was engaged as a book peddler, auctioneer, and salesman; studied law at Tulane University, New Orleans, La.; admitted to the bar in 1915 and commenced practice in Winnfield; moved to Shreveport, La., in 1918; railroad commissioner 1918-1928, and commission chairman 1924-1928; unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Louisiana in 1924; Democratic National committeeman 1928-1935; elected Governor of Louisiana in 1928 and served from May 21, 1928, until his resignation effective January 25, 1932, having previously been elected Senator; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1930 for the term commencing March 4, 1931, but did not assume these duties until January 25, 1932, preferring to continue as Governor; served as Senator from January 25, 1932, until his death; announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President in August 1935; shot by an assassin in the State Capitol Building in Baton Rouge on September 8, 1935, and died on September 10, 1935; interment on the Capitol Grounds at Baton Rouge, La.