Howard W. Carson

Howard W. Carson (April 30, 1910 – August 9, 1994)[1] was an American Democratic politician. Carson was a member of the West Virginia Senate for the 11th district from 1956 to 1968. From 1961 to 1968, he served as President of the West Virginia Senate.[2]

Howard W. Carson
Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 11th district
In office 1956–1968
Preceded by	J. Alfred Taylor, Jr.
Succeeded by	Robert Holliday
President of the United States Senate
In office 1961–1969
Preceded by	Ralph J. Bean
Succeeded by	Lloyd G. Jackson
Personal details
Born	April 30, 1910 Montgomery, West Virginia
Died	August 9, 1994 (aged 84) Charlottesville, Virginia
Political party	Democratic Party

Early life

Carson was born in Montgomery, Fayette County on April 30, 1910. He was the son of Lawrence W. and Alice Montgomery Carson. He received a law degree from Washington and Lee University.[3]

Career

Carson was named as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Fayette County, West Virginia in 1944.[4] At roughly the same time, Carson became the chairman of the Fayette County Democratic Executive Committee.[6] He resigned this position in 1948 to unsuccessfully run for the state's 11th Senate district, being defeated in the Democratic primary by J. Alfred Taylor, Jr..[5][7] In 1952, Carson won the race for Prosecuting Attorney for Fayette County, succeeding his former boss C.B. Vickers.[8]

Carson was elected to the West Virginia Senate in 1956.[9] He was nominated again in 1960. As no one filed to stand in the Republican primary, the party executive committee chose John Gwinn to oppose Carson's reelection. However, Gwinn's certification was lost in the mail, and he was disqualified from the ballot.[10] A write-in campaign for Gwinn only earned 5.2% of the vote, and Carson was re-elected.[11][12]

Incumbent Senate President Ralph J. Bean did not seek reelection in 1960, leaving his position open for a replacement.[13] Candidates included Carson and the moderate Julius W. Singleton Jr. of Morgantown. With the support of incoming Governor W. W. Barron and organized labor groups, Carson earned so much support among Senate Democrats that Singleton was not able to place his name for nomination.[14][15] He would win his seat again in 1964, with no Republican opposition on the ballot.[16][17]

Instead of running for a fourth term in the Senate, Carson opted to run for Attorney General. He was defeated in the Democratic primary by Chauncey H. Browning Jr.[18] After losing, Carson practiced law privately in Fayette County. He was named the Clerk of the Senate for the 1972, 1973, and 1974 terms.[19] He declined to seek the nomination for the 1975 session, citing health reasons.[20]

Personal life

Carson was married to Sunny N. née Hill in 1939, and had two children.[21] He attended Fayetteville Methodist Church.[21][3]

Carson passed away August 9, 1994, in his home in Charlottesville, Virginia.[22][2]

References

1. "Deaths", Washington Post, August 12, 1994
2. "Howard W. Carson". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 11, 1994. p. 9. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Carson In Forefront of Race for State Senate Presidency". Beckley Post Herald/The Raleigh Register. November 20, 1960. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "List of Office Employes Submitted County Court". Beckley Post-Herald. December 8, 1944. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Howard Carson Resigns as Democratic Chairman". Beckley Post-Herald. August 21, 1948. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
6. An article in the Beckley Post-Herald from 1948 states that he had held the office for "nearly four years"[5]
7. "Taylor Wins in Senate Contest". Beckley Post-Herald. May 14, 1948. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Carson to Succeed Vickers on Jan. 1". The Raleigh Register. November 6, 1952. p. 10. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Republicans Stronger in '57 Legislature". Beckley Post Herald/The Raleigh Register. November 18, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Gwinn's Certification Went Astray in Mails". The Raleigh Register. October 12, 1960. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
11. Ferris, Glen (October 19, 1960). ""11-Point Program is Presented by Congress Candidate at Rally"". Beckley Post-Herald. p. 22. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Claude 'Bud' Ferris, Fayette County Chairman... told the group of a 'write-in' campaign starting for John Gwinn of Springdale.
12. "1960 General Election results" (PDF). sos.wv.gov. Secretary of State of West Virginia. p. 19. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
13. Lewis, Charles R. (October 5, 1960). "Three Democrats Candidates for Senate President". The Charleston Daily Mail. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Leaders 'Picked' for Legislature". The Charleston Daily Mail. November 29, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Demos Pick Barron Men". Beckley Post Herald/The Raleigh Register. December 11, 1960. p. 9. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "196 4General Election results" (PDF). sos.wv.gov. Secretary of State of West Virginia. p. 20. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
17. "Gain in Legislature Seen in West Virginia's GOP". The Evening Review. November 2, 1964. p. 24. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "Horse Race on For W.Va Governor". The Morning Herald. May 15, 1968. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "Carson Named Senate Clerk". The Raleigh Register. December 14, 1971. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "Dillon is Chosen Clerk of Senate". Beckley Post Herald. December 2, 1974. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
21. "Prosecuting Attorney". The Raleigh Register. November 2, 1952. p. 11. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Carson, Fayette politician, dies". Beckley Register-Herald. Beckley. August 10, 1994. p. 19.