From Houstonchronicle · · 1m 10s
Lloyd Bentsen: Last Texas Democrat in Senate
Texas Democrats last elected to Senate until James Talarico's win.
In brief
Texas Democrats last elected to Senate until James Talarico's win. Lloyd Bentsen, the last Texas Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate, died in 2006; James Talarico became the new senator this week. Originally reported by Houstonchronicle.
Quick answers
- Who was Lloyd Bentsen?
- Lloyd Bentsen was the last Texas Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate before James Talarico's win this week.
- What is the key takeaway from Lloyd Bentsen: Last Texas Democrat in Senate?
- Lloyd Bentsen, the last Texas Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate, died in 2006; James Talarico became the new senator this week.
Who was Lloyd Bentsen?
Lloyd Bentsen was the last Texas Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate before James Talarico's win this week.
Bentsen's political rise
Bentsen served as a Hidalgo County judge in 1946, became a U.S. congressman, and later ran for Senate.
Bentsen's Senate victory
Bentsen defeated Texas' leading liberal voice, Ralph Yarborough, in a 1970 Democratic primary.
Bentsen's Senate career
Bentsen held the Senate seat for 22 years, chaired the Senate Finance Committee, and later worked on economic policy.
Bentsen's vice presidential run
Bentsen was Michael Dukakis' vice presidential running mate in the 1988 election.
Bentsen's iconic moment
Bentsen famously said, 'Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.'
“Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”
Bentsen's legacy
Bentsen died in Houston in 2006 and is buried at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.
What it means
Lloyd Bentsen, the last Texas Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate, died in 2006; James Talarico became the new senator this week.
