William E. Jenner

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William Ezra Jenner (July 21, 1908March 9, 1985) was a U.S. Republican politician from the State of Indiana.

Jenner was born in Marengo, Crawford County, Indiana. He graduated with a Law degree from Indiana University in 1930, and set up practice in Paoli, Indiana. In 1934, he was elected to the Indiana State Senate, serving as Minority Leader 1937-39, and Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore 1939-41. In 1942, he resigned his seat to serve in the military upon U.S. entry to World War II. In 1944, he returned from overseas action to fill an entry in the U.S. Senate; however, he was not a candidate for election to the full term. In 1946, he was elected to the Senate, and re-elected in 1952.

In Congress, he was a follower of Joseph McCarthy and the leader of Republican attacks upon the Democratic Party. In a 1950 Time Magazine article, Jenner was named as one of the most infamous and least effective Senators for his vindictive attacks and unsupported attacks on such individuals as President Harry Truman and General George C. Marshall [citation needed]. In a particularly stinging speech, Senator Jenner called Marshall a "living lie" and a "front man for traitors"[citation needed] .

In 1958, he was not a candidate for re-nomination. In 1959, he resumed legal practice in Bedford, Indiana, where he died on March 9, 1985.


Preceded by:
Samuel D. Jackson
United States Senator (Class 3) from Indiana
1944-1945
Served alongside: Raymond E. Willis
Succeeded by:
Homer E. Capehart
Preceded by:
Raymond E. Willis
United States Senator (Class 1) from Indiana
1947-1959
Served alongside: Homer E. Capehart
Succeeded by:
Vance Hartke