Berkeley L. Bunker
Encyclopedia
Berkeley Lloyd Bunker was a United States Senator and Representative
from Nevada
.
(now a northern arm of Lake Mead
), he attended public schools, graduating from Clark County High School in 1926. Bunker married Lucile Whitehead, then entered the tire and oil business in Las Vegas
in 1934.
from 1936 to 1941, serving as speaker in 1939. When United States Senator Key Pittman
died just after reelection in 1940, many candidates sought to be appointed as replacement. On November 26, Governor Edward P. Carville
surprised the state and appointed Bunker as Pittman's replacement for the term ending January 3, 1941, and also for the term ending January 3, 1947 serving until December 6, 1942 when a duly elected successor qualified.
The young new senator, whom Carville likely chose as a compromise candidate because "Nobody was mad at Berkeley Bunker", later claimed to be the "most surprised man in the state" as he had not asked for the job. Bunker was the first southern Nevada
n, and first Nevadan Mormon, to serve in federal office. As a Senator he made headlines by accusing Basic Magnesium of having negotiated a contract with the government to get exorbitant profits.
Bunker lost to former governor James Scrugham in the Democratic primary for the 1942 special election, but was elected in 1944 as a Democrat
to Nevada's only House seat
, after defeating incumbent Maurice Sullivan in the primary and Republican
former actor Rex Bell
in the general election. In 1946 He introduced a bill to incorporate Boulder City, Nevada
removing it from Federal control, but the bill never made it out of committee.
When Scrugham died in 1945 Carville resigned so Lieutenant Governor
Vail Pittman would succeed him and appoint him to the vacancy. In what he later called "the biggest mistake of my political career", instead of running for reelection to the House, Bunker challenged Carville in the Democratic primary for the 1946 election; Bunker won, but lost to Republican George Malone. Bunker became a hotel manager, then joined his brother in founding the Bunker Brothers mortuary. He ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1962 but lost to Republican Paul Laxalt
, in part because former Carville supporters still disliked his defeat of their candidate in 1946.
for the church in the southern United States after high school and before his marriage. After his time in the Senate Bunker served as bishop of a LDS ward in Las Vegas, and was involved with the building of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple
.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
.
Early life
Born in what was then St. Thomas, Clark County, NevadaClark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
(now a northern arm of Lake Mead
Lake Mead
Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States. It is located on the Colorado River about southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the states of Nevada and Arizona. Formed by water impounded by the Hoover Dam, it extends behind the dam, holding approximately of water.-History:The lake was...
), he attended public schools, graduating from Clark County High School in 1926. Bunker married Lucile Whitehead, then entered the tire and oil business in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
in 1934.
Career
The Democrat Bunker was a member of the Nevada AssemblyNevada Assembly
The Nevada Assembly is the lower house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Nevada. The body consists of 42 members, elected to two-year terms from single-member districts. Each Assembly district contained approximately 47,400 people as of the 2000 census, although...
from 1936 to 1941, serving as speaker in 1939. When United States Senator Key Pittman
Key Pittman
Key Denson Pittman was a United States Senator from Nevada. He was a Democrat.Pittman was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1872 and was educated by private tutors and at the Southwestern Presbyterian University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He studied law, then later became a lawyer...
died just after reelection in 1940, many candidates sought to be appointed as replacement. On November 26, Governor Edward P. Carville
Edward P. Carville
Edward Peter Carville was an American politician. He was the 18th Governor of Nevada and a Senator from Nevada. He was a member of the Democratic Party.-Biography:...
surprised the state and appointed Bunker as Pittman's replacement for the term ending January 3, 1941, and also for the term ending January 3, 1947 serving until December 6, 1942 when a duly elected successor qualified.
The young new senator, whom Carville likely chose as a compromise candidate because "Nobody was mad at Berkeley Bunker", later claimed to be the "most surprised man in the state" as he had not asked for the job. Bunker was the first southern Nevada
Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada is the region of Nevada which includes the Las Vegas Valley. Southern Nevada also includes the areas in and around Goldfield, Hawthorne, Pahrump, and Pioche. Geographically, Southern Nevada is partly, and in some cases, fully within the Mojave Desert. The population of the...
n, and first Nevadan Mormon, to serve in federal office. As a Senator he made headlines by accusing Basic Magnesium of having negotiated a contract with the government to get exorbitant profits.
Bunker lost to former governor James Scrugham in the Democratic primary for the 1942 special election, but was elected in 1944 as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to Nevada's only House seat
Nevada's At-large congressional district
Nevada's at-large congressional district was created when Nevada was granted statehood in 1864, encompassing the entire state. It existed until 1983, when it was made obsolete by the 1980 Census and subsequent reapportionment in which Nevada was awarded a second seat in the House of Representatives...
, after defeating incumbent Maurice Sullivan in the primary and Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
former actor Rex Bell
Rex Bell
Rex Bell , born George Francis Beldam, was an American actor and politician. He was the Lieutenant Governor of Nevada and a western movie star. Rex was born in Chicago and married actress Clara Bow in 1931. They had two sons, Tony Beldon and George Beldon, Jr...
in the general election. In 1946 He introduced a bill to incorporate Boulder City, Nevada
Boulder City, Nevada
Boulder City is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It is approximately from the City of Las Vegas. As of the 2010 census the population of Boulder City was 15,023.Boulder City is one of only two cities in Nevada that prohibit gambling....
removing it from Federal control, but the bill never made it out of committee.
When Scrugham died in 1945 Carville resigned so Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Nevada
The Nevada Lieutenant Governor is an elected office in the U.S. state of Nevada. The Nevada Lieutenant Governor is based in Carson City, Nevada and elected for 4 year terms. The 33rd and current Lt. Governor for the 2007-2011 term is Brian Krolicki....
Vail Pittman would succeed him and appoint him to the vacancy. In what he later called "the biggest mistake of my political career", instead of running for reelection to the House, Bunker challenged Carville in the Democratic primary for the 1946 election; Bunker won, but lost to Republican George Malone. Bunker became a hotel manager, then joined his brother in founding the Bunker Brothers mortuary. He ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1962 but lost to Republican Paul Laxalt
Paul Laxalt
Paul Dominique Laxalt of Nevada was a former Republican District Attorney, Lieutenant Governor, Governor and U.S. Senator. In the media, the words "son of a Basque sheepherder" often accompanied his name. He was one of Ronald Reagan's closest friends in politics...
, in part because former Carville supporters still disliked his defeat of their candidate in 1946.
Death
Lucile Bunker died in 1988, and her widower married Della Lee in 1989. Bunker died in 1999 and was interred in Bunkers Eden Vale Cemetery. He was the last living person who had served as a Senator during the time FDR was president. Berkeley L. Bunker Elementary School in Las Vegas is named after him.Personal life
Bunker was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a missionMormon missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
for the church in the southern United States after high school and before his marriage. After his time in the Senate Bunker served as bishop of a LDS ward in Las Vegas, and was involved with the building of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple
Las Vegas Nevada Temple
The Las Vegas Nevada Temple is the 43rd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Located in the Sunrise Manor CDP near Las Vegas, Nevada, the temple sits on at the base of Frenchman Mountain. A groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication for the temple were held in...
.