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 1932, preferring to continue as Governor, and served until his death; known as “the Kingfish,” Long espoused the redistribution of wealth in his “Share the Wealth” crusade; 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.