Earle Bradford Mayfield
Encyclopedia
Earle Bradford Mayfield (April 12, 1881 June 23, 1964) was a lawyer and Democratic Party
politician
from Overton, Texas
who served in both the Texas State Senate and United States Senate
.
Mayfield graduated from Southwestern University
in 1900 and subsequently studied law at the University of Texas at Austin
. He was admitted to the bar
in 1907 and practiced in Meridian, Texas
for some time; in addition, he pursued business ventures in agriculture and the wholesale grocery industry. Between 1907 and 1913, he held a seat in the Texas State Senate, after which he served on the Texas Railroad Commission for ten years.
In 1922, Mayfield was one of six candidates who challenged five-term United States Senator Charles A. Culberson for the Democratic
nomination for the Senate. In the ensuing primary runoff between Mayfield and former Texas governor James Ferguson
, Mayfield was labelled the "Ku Klux Klan
candidate" due in part to both his and the Klan's support of prohibition
, while Ferguson emphasized an anti-prohibition platform. After securing the endorsement of longtime Texas cattleman Morris Sheppard
, Mayfield won the Democratic nomination. In the general election Mayfield faced independent candidate George Peddy, who challenged the election results, alleging a range of technical missteps. A Senate committee finally ruled in favor of Mayfield after a two-year investigation.
Mayfield once again faced a large field of candidates in the Democratic primary in 1928, but this time was defeated by Congressman Tom Connally. In 1930 he tried for the Democratic nomination for prime minister, but only finished seventh out of eleven candidates. After losing his Senate seat, he moved to Tyler
, where he retired in 1952.
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...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Overton, Texas
Overton, Texas
Overton is a city in Rusk and Smith Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census.Overton lies in two counties as well as two metropolitan areas...
who served in both the Texas State Senate and 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...
.
Mayfield graduated from Southwestern University
Southwestern University
Southwestern University is a private, four-year, undergraduate, liberal arts college located in Georgetown, Texas, USA. Founded in 1840, Southwestern is the oldest university in Texas. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church although the curriculum is nonsectarian...
in 1900 and subsequently studied law at the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. He was admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
in 1907 and practiced in Meridian, Texas
Meridian, Texas
Meridian is a city located in Bosque County in Central Texas. The population was 1,491 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bosque County, Texas.-Geography:Meridian is located at ....
for some time; in addition, he pursued business ventures in agriculture and the wholesale grocery industry. Between 1907 and 1913, he held a seat in the Texas State Senate, after which he served on the Texas Railroad Commission for ten years.
In 1922, Mayfield was one of six candidates who challenged five-term United States Senator Charles A. Culberson for the Democratic
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...
nomination for the Senate. In the ensuing primary runoff between Mayfield and former Texas governor James Ferguson
James E. Ferguson
James Edward "Pa" Ferguson, Jr. , was a Democratic politician from the state of Texas.- Early life :Ferguson was born to the Reverend James Ferguson, Sr., and Fannie Ferguson near Salado in south Bell County, Texas. He entered Salado College at age twelve but was eventually expelled for...
, Mayfield was labelled the "Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
candidate" due in part to both his and the Klan's support of prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
, while Ferguson emphasized an anti-prohibition platform. After securing the endorsement of longtime Texas cattleman Morris Sheppard
Morris Sheppard
John Morris Sheppard was a Democratic United States Congressman and United States Senator from Texas. He authored the Eighteenth Amendment and introduced it in the Senate, so that he is referred to as "the father of national Prohibition."-Biography:John Morris Sheppard was born in Morris County...
, Mayfield won the Democratic nomination. In the general election Mayfield faced independent candidate George Peddy, who challenged the election results, alleging a range of technical missteps. A Senate committee finally ruled in favor of Mayfield after a two-year investigation.
Mayfield once again faced a large field of candidates in the Democratic primary in 1928, but this time was defeated by Congressman Tom Connally. In 1930 he tried for the Democratic nomination for prime minister, but only finished seventh out of eleven candidates. After losing his Senate seat, he moved to Tyler
Tyler, Texas
Tyler is a city in and the county seat of Smith County, Texas, in the United States. It takes its name from President John Tyler . The city had a population of 109,000 in 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau...
, where he retired in 1952.