E. S. Johnny Walker

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E. S. Johnny Walker (born June 18, 1911 - died October 8, 2000) was a Democratic Politician from the U.S. State of New Mexico and a Veteran of the Second World War.

[edit] Early life

Walker was born in Fulton, Kentucky, and attended public schools there until his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1926. He graduated from Albuquerque High School, and attended the University of New Mexico and then the George Washington University (then known as the National University).

In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Second World War in the North African and European Theaters of operation until the end of the war. He was discharged in 1945.

[edit] Political career

Walker was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1948 from one of Albuquerque's districts. Keeping with the State Democratic Party's tradition of making an Albuquerque Legislator whip, Walker was made Majority Whip. He served two terms, until 1952. His most notable accomplishment in the State Legislature was sponsoring legislation to allow women to serve on juries.

In 1952, he was elected as New Mexico's commissioner of public lands, served two terms in that office, and then was made commissioner of the bureau of revenue for New Mexico in 1960.

In 1964, he was elected to the House of Representatives at-large by the state to the seat previously held by Joseph Montoya, who successfully ran for the Senate that year. He served two terms in Congress, during which he was a member on the Armed Services Committee. He sponsored legislation that created Pecos National Historic Park.

In 1968, New Mexico drew congressional districts and for the first time, it's two representatives would be elected by districts, rather than at-large. Walker's district now comprised of Southern New Mexico, the area Walker had been losing support due to his support for gun control and the closure of Walker Air Force Base near Roswell.

Ed Foreman, a former congressman from Texas, ran the most expensive campaign seen in State history to that point, and defeated Walker in 1968 by a mere half point margin.

Walker would remain minimally involved in state politics for the rest of his life, but never run for elected office again.

Walker died of leukemia in Albuquerque at the age of 89. He was cremated. Senator Jeff Bingaman honored his memory on the Senate floor. 1