Roy Elson
Encyclopedia
Roy L. Elson was an American
politician
from Arizona
, and a onetime aide and protege of longtime U.S. Senator Carl Hayden (D-AZ). He was perhaps best known as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate from Arizona in 1964 and 1968.
After graduating from the University of Arizona he joined the staff of Senator Hayden in 1952, but was soon called into active duty in the air force during the Korean War. Returning to the Senate in 1955, he remained on the staff until Hayden retired. During his first bid he ran for the seat held by Republican
Barry Goldwater
, who declined to seek a third term in order to seek the Republican
Presidential nomination in 1964
. Goldwater lost to incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson
. Despite Johnson's landslide victory and big gains for Democrats across the country, Goldwater narrowly carried his home state and Elson lost the Senate race to Republican Governor Paul Fannin
by a 51.4% - 48.6% margin.
Elson was nominated again in 1968, this time running for the seat being vacated by his boss Carl Hayden, who by then was President pro tempore
and dean of the Senate. Elson lost again, this time by a margin of 57.2% to 42.8%. The winner was Barry Goldwater, who returned to the Senate for three more terms.
Elson then became a lobbyist for the National Association of Broadcasters.
His oldest brother was Edward L.R. Elson
, who served as Chaplain of the United States Senate
from 1969 to 1981.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, and a onetime aide and protege of longtime U.S. Senator Carl Hayden (D-AZ). He was perhaps best known as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate from Arizona in 1964 and 1968.
After graduating from the University of Arizona he joined the staff of Senator Hayden in 1952, but was soon called into active duty in the air force during the Korean War. Returning to the Senate in 1955, he remained on the staff until Hayden retired. During his first bid he ran for the seat held by Republican
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...
Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater
Barry Morris Goldwater was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party's nominee for President in the 1964 election. An articulate and charismatic figure during the first half of the 1960s, he was known as "Mr...
, who declined to seek a third term in order to seek the Republican
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...
Presidential nomination in 1964
United States presidential election, 1964
The United States presidential election of 1964 was held on November 3, 1964. Incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson had come to office less than a year earlier following the assassination of his predecessor, John F. Kennedy. Johnson, who had successfully associated himself with Kennedy's...
. Goldwater lost to incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
. Despite Johnson's landslide victory and big gains for Democrats across the country, Goldwater narrowly carried his home state and Elson lost the Senate race to Republican Governor Paul Fannin
Paul Fannin
Paul Jones Fannin was the 11th Governor of the U.S. state of Arizona from 1959 to 1965 and subsequently a U.S. Senator from Arizona. He was a Republican.- Biography :...
by a 51.4% - 48.6% margin.
Elson was nominated again in 1968, this time running for the seat being vacated by his boss Carl Hayden, who by then was President pro tempore
President pro tempore
A President pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer...
and dean of the Senate. Elson lost again, this time by a margin of 57.2% to 42.8%. The winner was Barry Goldwater, who returned to the Senate for three more terms.
Elson then became a lobbyist for the National Association of Broadcasters.
His oldest brother was Edward L.R. Elson
Edward L.R. Elson
The Reverend Edward Lee Roy Elson was a Presbyterian minister andChaplain of the United States Senate.-Life:Edward Lee Roy Elson, the oldest of nine children, was born in...
, who served as Chaplain of the United States Senate
Chaplain of the United States Senate
The Chaplain of the United States Senate opens each session of the United States Senate with a prayer, and provides and coordinates religious programs and pastoral care support for Senators, their staffs, and their families. The Chaplain is appointed by a majority vote of the members of the Senate...
from 1969 to 1981.
External links
- http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/elmquist-elwyn.html
- Roy Elson Oral History Interviews, http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/oral_history/Elson_Roy.htm