John Jennings, Jr. (June 6, 1880 – February 27, 1956) was a Tennessee Republican who represented the state's 2nd congressional district mostly during the 1940s, succeeding James Willis Taylor, who died in office. He was previously a delegate to the Republican National Conventions three times during the 1910s, in addition to being a special assistant to the United States Attorney General.
U.S. House of Representatives
Following the death of incumbent popular congressman James Willis "J. Will" Taylor, Jr. in 1939, Jennings was among several Republican contenders for the seat, which included Taylor's older daughter Elizabeth.[1] However, Elizabeth Taylor ultimately decided against running for her late father's seat, citing her mother's ill health. Jennings, who previously unsuccessfully sought to primary Taylor, subsequently received the GOP nomination and won the special election by a landslide over Democrat opponent Hammond Fowler.[2]
Jennings voted for the 1940 Gavagan-Fish[3] anti-lynching bill.[4]
References
- ↑ Hill, Ray (September 3, 2018). The Mystery After J. Will Taylor’s Death, II. The Knoxville Focus. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ↑ TN - District 02 - Special Election Race - Dec 30, 1939. Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ↑ FascinatingPolitics (July 1, 2018). On Ideology and Anti-Lynching Legislation. Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ↑ TO PASS H.R. 801, A BILL TO MAKE LYNCHING A FEDERAL CRIME.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved August 5, 2021.