Harold B. McSween

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Harold Barnett McSween (July 19, 1926January 12, 2002), was a Louisiana politician who served in Louisiana's now defunct Eighth Congressional District for two terms as a Democrat.

McSween was born, and died, in Alexandria, the seat of Rapides Parish. He was the president of the Rapides Savings and Loan Association in downtown Alexandria. He had four children named John, Robert, Elizabeth, and Sally.

McSween was first elected in 1958 to succeed the late George S. Long, older brother of Huey Long and Earl Kemp Long. Long lost the 1960 Democratic congressional nomination to former Governor Earl Kemp Long. Long died a few days later, and the Democratic State Central Committee named McSween the nominee for the November election after all. In that Republicans failed to offer a candidate, McSween was unopposed for reelection even after having been denied renomination. Only in Louisiana, it was said could a candidate lose his primary and win his general election without opposition!

In 1962, Gillis William Long unseated McSween in the Democratic primary. However, Long's views and voting record were virtually identical to those of McSween.

McSween later ran into legal problems in connection with his savings and loan.

In 2001, McSween was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.


Preceded by:
George S. Long (D)
United States Representative for the 1st Congressional District of Louisiana

Harold Barnett McSween (D)
1959–1963

Succeeded by:
Gillis William Long (D)

[edit] References

  1. Bio at Congress.gov
  2. Political Graveyard

http://www.cityofwinnfield.com/museum.html