Welcome back to "This Day in American History." I'm your host, Chuck Tanraty. Today, we turn our attention to a dramatic and controversial figure in American politics whose life was cut short on September 8, 1935. I'm talking about Huey P. Long, the "Kingfish" of Louisiana politics, who was shot at the state Capitol building in Baton Rouge and died two days later. Huey Pierce Long Jr. was a man of grand ambitions and even grander controversies, whose life and death left an indelible mark on American history. Let's explore his rise to power, his political vision, and the events that led to his assassination.
Huey Long was born on August 30, 1893, in Winnfield, Louisiana, an area marked by poverty and political radicalism. Despite claiming humble beginnings, Long's family was relatively well-off compared to their neighbors. This backdrop of economic hardship and populist sentiment shaped Long's political philosophy. After a brief stint in several colleges and a career as a traveling salesman, Long turned to law and quickly made a name for himself as a champion of the common man. His relentless pursuit of justice against large corporations, like Standard Oil, garnered him significant attention and set the stage for his entry into politics.
Long's political career took off when he was elected to the Louisiana Public Service Commission, where he took on powerful corporate interests. His fiery rhetoric and populist appeal helped him win the governorship of Louisiana in 1928. As governor, Long was a transformative yet divisive figure. He implemented sweeping reforms that included free textbooks for schoolchildren, road and bridge construction, and the expansion of public healthcare and education. These initiatives endeared him to Louisiana's poor and working-class citizens, who saw him as a Robin Hood figure fighting against the elite. However, his methods were often criticized as authoritarian. He wielded power with an iron fist, using patronage and intimidation to maintain control over the state’s political machinery.
Long's influence extended beyond Louisiana. In 1930, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he became a vocal critic of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal policies, which Long viewed as too moderate. Instead, Long proposed his own "Share Our Wealth" program, which aimed to cap personal fortunes, provide a guaranteed income for every American family, and fund public works. His proposals resonated with millions of Americans during the Great Depression, leading to the formation of thousands of "Share Our Wealth" clubs across the country. Many believed Long was positioning himself for a presidential run in 1936, which could have significantly altered the course of American politics.
However, Long’s rising power and radical policies earned him many enemies. His aggressive tactics and centralization of power in Louisiana led to increasing resistance, culminating in a near-insurrection in 1935. Political tensions ran high as Long continued to pass laws that consolidated his control, prompting opposition from various quarters, including within his own Democratic Party. On the night of September 8, 1935, Long was at the state Capitol to push through a redistricting bill aimed at an opponent when he was shot by Carl Weiss, the son-in-law of one of his political adversaries. Long’s bodyguards immediately returned fire, killing Weiss on the spot. Long was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries two days later.
Long’s death marked the end of one of the most controversial careers in American political history. To some, he was a champion of the downtrodden, a populist hero who dared to challenge the status quo. To others, he was a dangerous demagogue, whose consolidation of power bordered on dictatorship. His assassination left a political vacuum in Louisiana and curtailed what many feared could have been a bid for national power.
In the years following his death, Long's legacy remained contentious. His family continued to play a significant role in Louisiana politics, and the state was divided into pro- and anti-Long factions for decades. Meanwhile, some of Long’s proposed policies found their way into Roosevelt’s Second New Deal, highlighting the lasting impact of his political ideas.
Huey P. Long's life is a study in contrasts—a man who fought for the poor yet amassed immense personal power, who challenged corporate monopolies while using questionable methods to achieve his ends. His assassination was a dramatic end to a life that could have significantly altered American political history had he lived longer.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through history. Tune in tomorrow for another enlightening episode of "This Day in American History." I'm Chuck Tanraty, signing off.
September 8, 1935 - The Shooting of Huey P. Long