James M. Tunnell
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| James M. Tunnell | |
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| January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1947 | |
| Preceded by | John G. Townsend, Jr. |
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| Succeeded by | John J. Williams |
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| Born | August 2, 1879 Clarksville, Delaware |
| Died | November 14, 1957 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Residence | Georgetown, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sarah Ethel Dukes |
| Profession | lawyer, educator, banker |
James Miller Tunnell (August 2, 1879 – November 14, 1957) was an American teacher, lawyer and politician from Georgetown, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as U.S. Senator from Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
Tunnell was born August 2, 1879 in Clarkville, near Millville, Delaware. He attended the public schools and graduated in 1900 from Franklin College, now combined with Muskingum College at New Concord, Ohio.
[edit] Professional and political career
Tunnell taught in the public schools, eventually becoming principal of the schools at Frankford, Selbyville and Ocean View, Delaware. Meanwhile he studied the law, was admitted to the bar in 1907 and began a practice in Georgetown, Delaware. He was president of the Georgetown Board of Education from 1919 until 1932. Tunnell was also a banker and owned and operated a number of farms in Sussex County, Delaware.
Tunnel first ran for a seat in the United States Senate in 1924, but was defeated by Republican T. Coleman du Pont, a former Senator. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1940, this time defeating the incumbent Republican Senator John G. Townsend, Jr.. During this term, he served with the Democratic majority in the 77th, 78th, and 79th Congress. He was chairman of the Committee on Pensions in the 78th and 79th Congress. Tunnel lost his bid for a second term in 1946 to Republican John J. Williams, a businessman from Millsboro, Delaware. He served from January 3, 1941, to January 3, 1947, during the administrations of U.S. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.
[edit] Death and legacy
Tunnell died November 14, 1957 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is buried in the Blackwater Church Cemetery, near Clarksville, Sussex County, Delaware.
[edit] Public offices
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. U.S. Senators take office January 3rd, and have six year terms.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Term began | Term ended | notes |
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| U.S. Senator | Legislature | Washington | 1940 | January 3, 1941 | January 3, 1947 | class 1 |
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
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| 1924 | U.S. Senator | James M. Tunnell | Democratic | 36,085 | 41% | T. Coleman du Pont | Republican | 52,731 | 59% | ||
| 1940 | U.S. Senator | James M. Tunnell | Democratic | 68,294 | 51% | John G. Townsend, Jr. | Republican | 63,799 | 47% | ||
| 1946 | U.S. Senator | James M. Tunnell | Democratic | 50,910 | 45% | John J. Williams | Republican | 62,603 | 55% |
[edit] References
- Carter, Richard B. (2001). Clearing New Ground, The Life of John G. Townsend, Jr.. Wilmington, Delaware: The Delaware Heritage Press. ISBN 0-924117-20-6.
- Cohen, Celia (2002). Only in Delaware, Politics and Politicians in the First State. Newark, Delaware: Grapevine Publishing.
- Hoffecker, Carol E. (2000). Honest John Williams. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press.
- Martin, Roger (1997). Elbert N. Carvel. Wilmington, Delaware: Delaware Heritage Press. 0-924117-08-7.
[edit] Images
- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress [1]
[edit] External links
- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress [2]
- Delaware’s Senators Delaware and U.S. History
- Find a Grave [3]
- The Political Graveyard [4]
[edit] Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [5] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [6] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
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