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|name=Albert Benjamin "Happy" <br>“Happy” Chandler, Sr.

|office=[[United States Senator]] from [[Kentucky]]

|preceded=M. M. Marvel Mills Logan

|office2=44th and 49th [[Governors of Kentucky|Governor]] of Kentucky]]

|office4=36th [[Lieutenant Governor ]] of Kentucky

|relativesrelations=Former [[U.S. Representative]] A. B. Chandler, III (grandson)

'''Albert Benjamin Chandler, Sr.''''(July 14, 1898 &ndash; June 15, 1991), known as '''A. B. "Happy" “Happy” Chandler''' (July 14, 1898 &mdash; June 15, 1991) was a colorful [[Democratic Party|DemocraticDemocrat]] [[politician]] from his native Commonwealth of [[Kentucky]]. From 1939 to 1945, he was one of Kentucky's two [[United States U.S. Senator]]s, representing the state's Class II seat. He served two nonconsecutive terms as [[governor]] of Kentucky, from 1935 to 1939 and from 1955 to 1959. He was also a state senator and one-term lieutenant governor.

From 1945 to 1951, he was the second commissioner of [[Major League Baseball]]; in 1982, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, the oldest inductee in league history. His grandson, Albert "Ben " Chandler, III (born 1959), later served as a Democratic [[U.S. Representative]] for Kentucky's 6th congressional district, based about [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]] and including Chandler's residence in nearby Versailles (pronounced VER SAILS) in Woodford County.<ref name=findagrave>[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2397/albert-benjamin-chandler Albert Benjamin “Happy” Chandler (1898-1991) ] - Find A Grave Memorial, accessed July 31, 2021/</ref>

 Chandler was born in [[rural]] Coryden in Henderson County in western Kentucky, the son of Joseph Sephus Chandler (1870-19591870–1959) and the former Callie Saunders.<ref>Lowell H. Harrison, "Chandler, Albert Benjamin," in John E. Kleber (ed.). ''The Kentucky Encyclopedia,'' the University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0. Retrieved December 20, 2010, p. 179.</ref> Though no marriage records exist, Joseph Chandler allegedly rescued Callie from an orphanage and married her when she was fifteen.<ref name=boyett>Frank Boyett, "Yesterday's News: Happy reunion.", ''The Henderson Gleaner,'' November 9, 2008.</ref> In 1901, Callie abandoned the family, and the brothers were reared by their father. <ref name=boyett /> In his autobiography, Chandler said that his mother's leaving them was his earliest memory.<ref name=boyett/> Years later, Chandler found his mother living in [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], [[Florida]], and learned that she had remarried and he had half-siblings.<ref name=boyett /> Robert Chandler, his full brother, died tragically at the age of thirteen when he fell from a cherry tree.<ref name=flaherty113>Vincent X. Flaherty, "The Life Story of Albert B. "Happy" Chandler," "The Life Story of Albert B. "Happy" Chandler," ''Baseball Guide and Record Book'' ([[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]]: Charles C. Spink and Son, 1946). p. 113.</ref>

Chandler wed the former married Mildred Lucille Watkins (1899-19951899–1995), a teacher at a girls' school.<ref>Flaherty, pp. 121–122</ref> Their children were Marcella Miller (1922-20051922–2005), Mildred ("Mimi") Lewis, Albert, Jr. (1929-20161929–2016), and Joseph Daniel Chandler (1933-20041933–2004).

After completing almost three years in his state SenateIn 1938, Chandler was elected lieutenant governor , still in 1931, office as fellow Democrat Ruby Laffoon (male) (1869-1941) became governor. The two clashed over , opposed the establishment re-nomination of a state U.S. Senator [[sales taxAlben Barkley|Alben William Barkley]], which Chandler opposed and which narrowly passed the legislature. Laffoon's allies then stripped the lieutenant governor of many of his legal powers. When Laffoon was out of state, Chandler as acting governor called a special session of the legislature [[New Deal]]er and obtained implementation favorite of a law to require President [[primaryFranklin D. Roosevelt]] elections in Kentucky, rather than permitting who came into the party leadership commonwealth to tap its candidate of choicecampaign for Barkley. At Chandler lost the time Kentucky governors could not serve consecutive termsprimary race to Barkley.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=491885 KY US Senate - D Primary Race - Aug 06, and Chandler faced Laffoon1938]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved July 31, 2021.</ref> The following year, Kentucky's choice other Democratic senator, Marvel Mills Logan (1874–1939) of Thomas Stockdale Rhea (1871-Elizabethtown, died in the primary. After defeating Rheaoffice, and Chandler swamped the [[Republican Party|Republican]] King Swope resigned as governor so that his successor, Keen Johnson (1893-19611896–1970) of Lexington, a former [could appoint him to the vacant Senate seat.<ref>[https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=C000290 Biographical Directory of the U.S. RepresentativeCongress - Retro Member details]] for the state's then 8th congressional district, since disbanded. Governor Chandler in his first term oversaw the repeal of the sales taxaccessed July 31, along with passage of new excise taxes and a state income tax. Chandler also obtained passage of a reorganization of state government and strengthened the education and transportation systems2021.</ref name=nyt/>

In 19381945, Chandlerleft the Senate to succeed Kenesaw Mountain Landis (1866–1944), still in office a [[Segregation|segregationist]], as governorcommissioner of baseball. In this capacity, opposed Chandler approved the re-nomination contract of U.S. Senator [[Alben BarkleyJackie Robinson]], a favorite of President with the former [[Franklin D. RooseveltBrooklyn Dodgers]], who came and hence [[Segregation|desegregated]] baseball. The baseball owners had all opposed admitting Robinson into the commonwealth to campaign for Barkleyleague, but Chandler overruled them. Chandler lost a close race to Barkleyestablished the first pension fund for MLB players financed by [[radio]] rights on the [[World Series]]. The following yearbaseball owners, Kentucky's other Democratic senator, Marvel Mills Logan influenced by Dodgers manager Leo Ernest Dorocher (1874-19391905–1991) of Elizabethtown, died in office, and whom Chandler resigned as governor so that his successor, Keen Johnson (1896-1970), could appoint him derided for alleged times to the vacant Senate seat[[gambling]], did not renew his contract in 1951.<ref>Biographical Directory of the U[https://baseballhall.S. Congress org/hall- Retro Member detailsof-famers/chandler-happy Chandler, Happy | Baseball Hall of Fame], accessed July 31, 2021.</ref><ref name=utube/>

In 1945Following his term as commissioner, Chandler left the Senate returned to succeed Kenesaw Mountain Landis (1866-1944), Kentucky and won a [[Segregation|segregationist]], second term as commissioner of baseballgovernor in 1955. In this capacity, Chandler approved He presided over the contract racial integration of [[Jackie Robinson]] with state schools and established a medical school at the former [[Brooklyn DodgersUniversity of Kentucky]] and hence [[Segregation|desegregated]] baseball. The baseball owners had all opposed admitting Robinson into , renamed the league, but Chandler overruled themMedical Center. Chandler established the first pension fund Following his second term as governor, his political influence began to wane as he made three more unsuccessful runs for MLB players financed by [[radio]] rights on governor in 1963, 1967 (when the Republican [[World SeriesLouie B. Nunn|Louie Broady Nunn]]. The baseball ownerswas elected), influenced by Dodgers manager Leo Ernest Dorocher and 1971, when the office passed to the Democrat Wendell Hampton Ford (1905-19911924–2018), whom Chandler derided for alleged times to [[gambling]], did not renew his contract in 1951later one of the state's two U.<ref>Chandler, Happy | Baseball Hall of Fame, accessed July 31, 2021S. senators.</ref><ref name=utube/>

Following his term as commissioner, Chandler returned 's support in 1987 for dark-horse gubernatorial candidate Wallace Glenn Wilkinson (1941–2002) paid off as Wilkinson resisted calls to remove Chandler from the University of Kentucky and won a second term as governor in 1955. He presided over board of trustees following the racial integration former governor's use of state schools and established a medical school racial expression at a 1988 board meeting. Chandler was first appointed to the [[University of Kentucky]]trustess by Louie Nunn, renamed the whom Chandler Medical Centersupported In the 1967 election. Following his second term as governorIn 1968, his political influence began to wane he was considered as he made three more unsuccessful runs a vice-presidential running mate for governor in 1963, 1967 (when the Republican [[Louie B. NunnAlabama]] was elected)'s [[George Wallace]] third-party campaign, and 1971<ref>Gore, when the office passed to the Democrat Wendell Hampton Ford Leada (1924-August 21, 2018). [https://www.al.com/news/erry-2018/08/937bc749e09952/george-wallace-1968-presidenti.html George Wallace 1968 presidential run: 'Most influential loser' in political history]. ''al.com''. Retrieved July 31, later one of 2021.</ref> but the statetwo could not resolve their "racial differences";<ref>Andy Mead and Jim Warren, "Kentucky's two U"Happy" Chandler Dies, ''Lexington Herald-Leader,'' June 16, 1991, p.SA-1. senators</ref> in contrast to Wallace's racist and demagogic rhetoric, Chandler held a mixed record on [[civil rights]] throughout his career.<ref>John Paul Hill, "A. B. "Happy" Chandler and the politics of civil rights," athenaeum.libs.uga.edu, December 2009.</ref>

Chandler's support often made numerous public appearances and remained active in 1987 for dark-horse gubernatorial candidate Wallace Glenn Wilkinson (1941-2002) paid off as Wilkinson resisted calls to remove Chandler from the University of Kentucky board of trustees following state politics and events. He often sang the former governorstate's use of a racial expression at a 1988 board meeting. Chandler was first appointed to the trustess by Louie Nunnsong, whom Chandler supported In the 1967 election. In 1968, he was considered as a vice-presidential running mate got [[alabama]]'s "My Old Kentucky Home" by [[George WallaceStephen Foster|Stephen Collins Foster]] third-party campaign, but at public gatherings such as UK sporting events. His rendition often brought tears to listeners. He also spoke from the two could not resolve their "racial differencesheart about his personal life and his time in politics."<refname=utube>Andy Mead and Jim Warren, "Kentucky's {{cite web|url=https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=happy+chandler+singing+my+old+kentucky+home&view=detail&mid=4D0F9DB9176C379841F44D0F9DB9176C379841F4&FORM=VIRE|title=A. B. "Happy" Chandler Dies, ''Lexington Herald-Leaders My Old Kentucky Home|publisher=You Tube|accessdate=July 31,'' June 16, 1991, p. A-1.2021}}</ref>

Chandler often made numerous public appearances and remained active in state politics and events. He often sang the state's song, '"My Old Kentucky Home" by Stephen Collins Foster at public gatherings such as UK sporting events. His rendition often brought tears to listeners.<ref name=utube>{{cite web|url=https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=happy+chandler+singing+my+old+kentucky+home&view=detail&mid=4D0F9DB9176C379841F44D0F9DB9176C379841F4&FORM=VIRE|title=A. B. "Happy" Chandler's My Old Kentucky Home|publisher=You Tube|accessdate=July 31, 2021}}</ref> Chandler died a month before his ninety-third birthday; at the time, he was the oldest living former Kentucky governor and the earliest serving former governor. In 1982, he was the oldest person inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.<ref name=nyt>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/16/obituaries/ab-happy-chandler-92-dies-led-baseball-during-integration.html|title=A.B. (Happy) Chandler, 92, Dies; Led Baseball During Integration|author=Robert M. Thomas, Jr.|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=June 16, 1991|accessdate=July 31, 2021; under pay wall}}</ref>