Jack Daniels (politician)
Encyclopedia
Jack Daniels was a Democratic New Mexico
state representative. He ran unsuccessfully for the governorship in 1970, and for the United States Senate
in 1972.
In his last major election against Pete Domenici
in 1972, Daniels took advantage of his name, which was similar to that of Jack Daniel's
, a popular alcoholic beverage. He handed out tiny bottles of Jack Daniel's
whiskey while campaigning. Despite this, he still lost the election to Pete Domenici, 54% to 46%.
, in 1923. His family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico
, in 1937. After graduation from New Mexico Military Institute
in 1943, Daniels served on the destroyer in the Pacific theater of World War II
. He returned home to join his father's insurance agency. He served on the boards of a number of community associations, and was a New Mexico state representative from 1967 to 1970. He was appointed to the New Mexico State House by Governor Jack Campbell
to succeed then-deceased Representative Ray McNeill.
in the race to fill the open seat left by outgoing liberal
Republican Governor David F. Cargo
, who was unable to seek a third term due to term limits. A major issue in the election was how the University of New Mexico
should deal with anti-war protesters. Defenders of the University did so on the grounds of free speech, and opponents argued on the grounds of law and order.
Daniels ran as a moderate liberal candidate, and he became the strongest defender of the University of New Mexico
throughout the campaign. Bruce King
was the other moderate liberal candidate, and he and Daniels agreed on most issues, with them both supporting the University of New Mexico. However, Daniels was more vigorous in his support, constantly advertising and emphasizing that he supported the University's position, while Bruce King mostly avoided the issue. On the other hand, Alexander Sceresse attacked the University, calling for law and order. The Democratic primary had above-average turnout, with 54% voting, and King beat Daniels 49%-37%, with Sceresse only getting 14% of the vote. Bruce King then went on to become Governor of New Mexico.
, retired for health reasons. Jack Daniels was nominated as the Democrat in his place and ran against Republican Pete Domenici
, but lost with Domenici winning 54% of the vote. The election was affected by the presidential election, because Richard Nixon
was up for reelection in 1972, and he was very popular in New Mexico. Furthermore, George McGovern
, Nixon's opponent, was considered too liberal by many of the New Mexico voters, which hurt local Democrats like Jack Daniels. However, Jack Daniels gained prominence in the election when he gave out Jack Daniel's
whiskey at his campaign rallies.
His daughter, Diane Denish
, served two terms as Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico
and ran unsuccessfully for Governor in 2010.
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
state representative. He ran unsuccessfully for the governorship in 1970, and for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 1972.
In his last major election against Pete Domenici
Pete Domenici
Pietro Vichi "Pete" Domenici is an American Republican politician, who served six terms as a United States Senator from New Mexico, from 1973 to 2009, the longest tenure in the state's history....
in 1972, Daniels took advantage of his name, which was similar to that of Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's is a brand of sour mash Tennessee whiskey that is among the world's best-selling liquors. It is known for its square bottles and black label. As of November, 2007, one blogger was claiming that it was the best-selling whiskey in the world. It is produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee by...
, a popular alcoholic beverage. He handed out tiny bottles of Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's is a brand of sour mash Tennessee whiskey that is among the world's best-selling liquors. It is known for its square bottles and black label. As of November, 2007, one blogger was claiming that it was the best-selling whiskey in the world. It is produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee by...
whiskey while campaigning. Despite this, he still lost the election to Pete Domenici, 54% to 46%.
Early life
Daniels was born in Council Bluffs, IowaCouncil Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, known until 1852 as Kanesville, Iowathe historic starting point of the Mormon Trail and eventual northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trailsis a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States and is on the east bank of the Missouri River across...
, in 1923. His family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico
Hobbs, New Mexico
Hobbs is a city in Lea County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 28,657 at the 2000 census.Hobbs is the principal city of the Hobbs, New Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Lea County.-Geography:...
, in 1937. After graduation from New Mexico Military Institute
New Mexico Military Institute
New Mexico Military Institute is a state-supported educational institution. NMMI is located in Roswell, New Mexico, United States. It is sometimes referred to as the West Point of the West and it is the only state-supported military college located in the western United States. NMMI includes a...
in 1943, Daniels served on the destroyer in the Pacific theater of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He returned home to join his father's insurance agency. He served on the boards of a number of community associations, and was a New Mexico state representative from 1967 to 1970. He was appointed to the New Mexico State House by Governor Jack Campbell
Jack M. Campbell
John "Jack" M. Campbell was the 21st Governor of New Mexico, from January 1, 1963 until January 1, 1967.Campbell was born in Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, and educated at Washburn University, where he received an undergraduate degree in 1938 and an LL.B degree in 1940.During World War II,...
to succeed then-deceased Representative Ray McNeill.
Governor election
In 1970, Daniels entered the Democratic primaryPrimary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
in the race to fill the open seat left by outgoing liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
Republican Governor David F. Cargo
David F. Cargo
David Francis Cargo the 22nd Governor of New Mexico, having served between 1967 and 1971.Cargo was born in Dowagiac, Michigan, the eldest of three children born to Francis and Mary Cargo...
, who was unable to seek a third term due to term limits. A major issue in the election was how the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
should deal with anti-war protesters. Defenders of the University did so on the grounds of free speech, and opponents argued on the grounds of law and order.
Daniels ran as a moderate liberal candidate, and he became the strongest defender of the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
throughout the campaign. Bruce King
Bruce King
Bruce King was an American politician who served three terms as the governor of the state of New Mexico. He was a Democrat.King was born in 1924 in Stanley, New Mexico. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II...
was the other moderate liberal candidate, and he and Daniels agreed on most issues, with them both supporting the University of New Mexico. However, Daniels was more vigorous in his support, constantly advertising and emphasizing that he supported the University's position, while Bruce King mostly avoided the issue. On the other hand, Alexander Sceresse attacked the University, calling for law and order. The Democratic primary had above-average turnout, with 54% voting, and King beat Daniels 49%-37%, with Sceresse only getting 14% of the vote. Bruce King then went on to become Governor of New Mexico.
Senate election
In 1972 New Mexico's senior U.S. senator, Clinton Presba AndersonClinton Presba Anderson
Clinton Presba Anderson was an American Democratic Party politician who served as a U.S. Congressman from New Mexico , as the United States Secretary of Agriculture , and as a U.S. Senator from New Mexico .-Early life and career:Anderson was born in Centerville, South Dakota, on October 23, 1895...
, retired for health reasons. Jack Daniels was nominated as the Democrat in his place and ran against Republican Pete Domenici
Pete Domenici
Pietro Vichi "Pete" Domenici is an American Republican politician, who served six terms as a United States Senator from New Mexico, from 1973 to 2009, the longest tenure in the state's history....
, but lost with Domenici winning 54% of the vote. The election was affected by the presidential election, because Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
was up for reelection in 1972, and he was very popular in New Mexico. Furthermore, George McGovern
George McGovern
George Stanley McGovern is an historian, author, and former U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and the Democratic Party nominee in the 1972 presidential election....
, Nixon's opponent, was considered too liberal by many of the New Mexico voters, which hurt local Democrats like Jack Daniels. However, Jack Daniels gained prominence in the election when he gave out Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's is a brand of sour mash Tennessee whiskey that is among the world's best-selling liquors. It is known for its square bottles and black label. As of November, 2007, one blogger was claiming that it was the best-selling whiskey in the world. It is produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee by...
whiskey at his campaign rallies.
Death and legacy
In his later years, Daniels was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He died on September 3, 2003 in Hobbs, New Mexico. In his memory, Governor Bill Richardson ordered that flags be flown on half-staff on September 5.His daughter, Diane Denish
Diane Denish
Diane Daniels Denish is an American politician, who was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico. She was elected in 2002, running on the same ticket as Governor Bill Richardson, and was re-elected in 2006...
, served two terms as Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico
Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico
Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico is an official in the state of New Mexico that ranks just below the Governor of New Mexico. The current lieutenant governor is John Sanchez.- Partial list of Lieutenant Governors of New Mexico :...
and ran unsuccessfully for Governor in 2010.