William E. Jenner

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William Ezra Jenner (July 21, 1908 – March 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 – 1939, and Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore 1939 – 1941. 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 a vacancy in the U.S. Senate caused by the death of Frederick Van Nuys and served from November 14, 1944, to January 3, 1945; however, he was not a candidate for election to the full term. In 1946, he did run for Indiana's Class I seat in the the Senate; he won and was 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