Walter Dee Huddleston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter Dee Huddleston
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| United States Senator from Kentucky |
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| In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1985 |
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| Preceded by | John Cooper |
| Succeeded by | Mitch McConnell |
| Majority Leader of the Kentucky Senate | |
| In office January 1970 – December 1972 |
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| Preceded by | Richard L. Frymire |
| Succeeded by | Tom Garrett |
| Member of the Kentucky Senate from the 10th district |
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| In office January 4, 1966 – December 1972 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Fuqua |
| Succeeded by | Joe Prather |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Walter Darlington Huddleston
April 15, 1926 Burkesville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 2018 (aged 92) Warsaw, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Jean Pearce
(m. 1947; died 2003) |
| Education | University of Kentucky (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1944–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Walter Darlington "Dee" Huddleston was an American politician. He was born on April 15, 1926, and passed away on October 16, 2018. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Huddleston represented the state of Kentucky in the United States Senate. He served as a Senator from 1973 to 1985. In 1984, he ran for re-election but lost to Mitch McConnell. It was a very close election.
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Early Life and Education
Walter Huddleston was born in Burkesville, Kentucky. After finishing high school, he joined the United States Army. He served as a tank gunner in Europe. He was part of the army during and after World War II, from 1944 to 1946.
College and Family Life
After his military service, Huddleston went to the University of Kentucky. He used support from the G.I. Bill to pay for his studies. He graduated from college in 1949. In 1947, Huddleston married Martha Jean Pearce. She passed away in 2003.
Career in Radio
After college, Huddleston worked in radio. He was the sports and program director for WKCT in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In 1952, he became the general manager of WIEL in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He later became the president of the Kentucky Broadcasters Association.
Political Career
Huddleston started his political journey in 1964. He was elected to the Kentucky State Senate. He served as a state senator from 1965 to 1972. For some time, he was the majority leader of the Senate. This meant he led the main political party in that group.
Running for U.S. Senate
In 1972, Huddleston decided to run for a seat in the United States Senate. This seat was becoming open because Republican John Sherman Cooper was retiring. Huddleston won the election against Louie B. Nunn, who had been a governor. Huddleston won with 51% of the votes.
Re-election and Close Race
Huddleston was re-elected in 1978. He won with 61 percent of the vote. His opponent was Louie R. Guenthner Jr..
In 1984, Huddleston ran for re-election again. His opponent was Mitch McConnell. McConnell used TV ads to criticize Huddleston's attendance record in the Senate. He said Huddleston put his private events ahead of his Senate duties. Even with these ads, the election was very close. McConnell won by a small number of votes.
Life After the Senate
After leaving the Senate, Huddleston remained active. He was known as a moderate Democrat. This means he held views that were not too extreme. This was common for politicians from Kentucky in his party.
In the late 1980s, Huddleston served on a national board. This board advised a group that wanted fewer people to move to the U.S. legally. In 2012, Huddleston stepped down as chairman of First Financial Service Corporation.
Death and Legacy
Walter Huddleston passed away on October 16, 2018. He was 92 years old. He died in his sleep at his son Stephen's house in Warsaw, Kentucky.
Senator Mitch McConnell shared a statement after Huddleston's death. He praised Huddleston's "tenacity," which means his strong determination. McConnell said he and his wife, Elaine Chao, were sad to hear the news.
