Clifford P. Case
Encyclopedia
Clifford Philip Case was an American
lawyer and Republican Party
politician who represented in the United States House of Representatives
(1945–1953) and the State of New Jersey
in the United States Senate
(1955–1979).
in Somerset County, New Jersey
. He attended the public schools of Poughkeepsie, New York
, and graduated from Rutgers University
in New Brunswick, New Jersey
with a baccalaureate degree in 1925 and from Columbia Law School
in New York City
in 1928. While he was at Rutgers University
he joined The Delta Upsilon
Fraternity.
Following his graduation from law school in 1928 he was admitted to the bar
in 1928 and commenced practice in New York City
. In 1938, Case was elected to the Common Council for the city of Rahway, New Jersey
. He served in that capacity until 1942, when he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly
, where he served from 1943 to 1945. In 1944, Case ran and won election to the United States House of Representatives
, serving in the Seventy-ninth, Eightieth, Eighty-first, Eighty-second, and Eighty-third Congresses. Case resigned from his seat in the House on 16 August 1953, when he took up the position of president of the Fund for the Republic from 1953 to 1954.
In 1954, Case ran for the United States Senate
. He was strongly anti-McCarthy
and so was opposed by conservative elements within his own party. During the campaign a New Jersey newspaper quoted former Communist Party
leader Bella Dodd
as saying that Case's sister Adelaide was "an active member of several Communist front groups." It was later revealed, however, that the Adelaide Case in question was not the candidate's sister but a college professor who had died in 1948.
In the general election, he defeated fellow U.S. Representative Charles R. Howell
by a very narrow margin. In the Senate, he compiled one of the most liberal records of a Republican in the U.S. senate. He was re-elected in 1960, 1966 and 1972. Case won 22 votes for president at the 1968 Republican National Convention
, losing the nomination to Richard Nixon
. He also co-sponsored the Case-Church Amendment
which prohibited further U.S. military activity in Vietnam
, Laos
and Cambodia
in 1973.
Case sought a fifth Senate term in 1978, but lost the Republican primary to Jeffrey Bell, an anti-tax conservative. Bell went on to lose the general election to Bill Bradley
. No Republican has been elected to represent New Jersey in the Senate since Case's last victory in 1972.
After leaving the Senate, Case resumed the practice of law with Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle
, a New York law firm
. Case also lectured at Rutgers University
's Eagleton Institute of Politics
. He died in Washington, D.C.
and was interred at the Somerville New Cemetery in Somerville, New Jersey
.
His grandson, former Clinton
Mayor Matthew Holt, was elected to the Hunterdon County
Board of Chosen Freeholders
in 2005. He ran for the General Assembly
seat in the 23rd legislative district that was vacated by Marcia A. Karrow
in January 2009.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer and Republican Party
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...
politician who represented in the United States House of Representatives
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...
(1945–1953) and the State of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in 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...
(1955–1979).
Biography
Clifford P. Case was born in Franklin ParkFranklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey
-Communities of Franklin Township:The following are census-designated places, unincorporated enclaves, and historical communities located within Franklin Township...
in Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
. He attended the public schools of Poughkeepsie, New York
Poughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
, and graduated from Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
in New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA. It is the county seat and the home of Rutgers University. The city is located on the Northeast Corridor rail line, southwest of Manhattan, on the southern bank of the Raritan River. At the 2010 United States Census, the population of...
with a baccalaureate degree in 1925 and from Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1928. While he was at Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
he joined The Delta Upsilon
Delta Upsilon
Delta Upsilon is the sixth oldest international, all-male, college Greek-letter organization, and is the oldest non-secret fraternity in North America...
Fraternity.
Following his graduation from law school in 1928 he was admitted to the bar
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in 1928 and commenced practice in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. In 1938, Case was elected to the Common Council for the city of Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway is a city in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the New York metropolitan area, being 15 miles southwest of Manhattan and five miles west of Staten Island...
. He served in that capacity until 1942, when he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
, where he served from 1943 to 1945. In 1944, Case ran and won election to the United States House of Representatives
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...
, serving in the Seventy-ninth, Eightieth, Eighty-first, Eighty-second, and Eighty-third Congresses. Case resigned from his seat in the House on 16 August 1953, when he took up the position of president of the Fund for the Republic from 1953 to 1954.
In 1954, Case ran 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...
. He was strongly anti-McCarthy
Joseph McCarthy
Joseph Raymond "Joe" McCarthy was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death in 1957...
and so was opposed by conservative elements within his own party. During the campaign a New Jersey newspaper quoted former Communist Party
Communist Party USA
The Communist Party USA is a Marxist political party in the United States, established in 1919. It has a long, complex history that is closely related to the histories of similar communist parties worldwide and the U.S. labor movement....
leader Bella Dodd
Bella Dodd
Bella Visono Dodd was a member of the Communist Party of America in the 1930s and 1940s who later became a vocal anti-communist.-Biography:...
as saying that Case's sister Adelaide was "an active member of several Communist front groups." It was later revealed, however, that the Adelaide Case in question was not the candidate's sister but a college professor who had died in 1948.
In the general election, he defeated fellow U.S. Representative Charles R. Howell
Charles R. Howell
Charles Robert Howell was an American Democratic Party politician who represented in the United States House of Representatives from 1949 to 1955....
by a very narrow margin. In the Senate, he compiled one of the most liberal records of a Republican in the U.S. senate. He was re-elected in 1960, 1966 and 1972. Case won 22 votes for president at the 1968 Republican National Convention
1968 Republican National Convention
The 1968 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held in at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Dade County, Florida, from August 5 to August 8, 1968....
, losing the nomination to 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...
. He also co-sponsored the Case-Church Amendment
Case-Church Amendment
The Case-Church Amendment was legislation approved by the U.S. Congress in 1973 that prohibited further U.S. military activity in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. This ended direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War, although the U.S. continued to provide military equipment and economic...
which prohibited further U.S. military activity in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
and Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
in 1973.
Case sought a fifth Senate term in 1978, but lost the Republican primary to Jeffrey Bell, an anti-tax conservative. Bell went on to lose the general election to Bill Bradley
Bill Bradley
William Warren "Bill" Bradley is an American hall of fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar, and former three-term Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in the 2000 election.Bradley was born and raised in a suburb of St....
. No Republican has been elected to represent New Jersey in the Senate since Case's last victory in 1972.
After leaving the Senate, Case resumed the practice of law with Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP is a New York-based international law firm with 260 attorneys in 15 offices worldwide. In 2009, its declared revenues were approximately $135 million...
, a New York law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
. Case also lectured at Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
's Eagleton Institute of Politics
Eagleton Institute of Politics
The Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University was established in 1956 with an endowment from Florence Peshine Eagleton , and it focuses on state and national politics through education, and public service.-Background:...
. He died in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and was interred at the Somerville New Cemetery in Somerville, New Jersey
Somerville, New Jersey
Somerville is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,098. It is the county seat of Somerset County....
.
His grandson, former Clinton
Clinton, New Jersey
Clinton is a Town in Hunterdon County, New Jersey on the South Branch of the Raritan River. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 2,719....
Mayor Matthew Holt, was elected to the Hunterdon County
Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Hunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 128,349. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Flemington....
Board of Chosen Freeholders
Board of Chosen Freeholders
In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
in 2005. He ran for the General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
seat in the 23rd legislative district that was vacated by Marcia A. Karrow
Marcia A. Karrow
Marcia A. Karrow is an American Republican Party politician who served in the New Jersey State Senate where she represented the 23rd legislative district, having taken office on February 9, 2009. She had won a January 24, 2009 special election convention, defeating Assemblyman Michael J...
in January 2009.
External links
- Clifford P. Case in the Rutgers University Hall of Distinguished Alumni
- Clifford Philip Case at The Political GraveyardThe Political GraveyardThe Political Graveyard is a website and database that catalogues information on more than 224,000 American political figures and political families, along with other information.-History:...
- Clifford Philip Case at Rutgers University Libraries: This Web site serves as a companion to the permanent exhibition on the senator’s life and work which was installed in the Clifford P. Case Seminar Room at Alexander Library in October 2006.