Furnifold McLendel Simmons

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Furnifold McLendel Simmons (20 January 1854 - 30 April 1940) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1887 to 1889 and U.S. senator from the state of North Carolina between 1901 and 1931. Serving as chairman of the powerful Committee on Finance from 1913 - 1919. In 1920 he was an unsuccessful contender for the Democratic Party nomination for president.

As a leader of the state Democratic Party, Simmons led the White Supremacy campaigns that effectively disfranchised black voters for a half-century.

Senator Simmons refused to endorse Al Smith, the Democratic nominee for president in 1928. This, together with the Great Depression, led to Simmons being defeated in the 1930 Democratic primary by Josiah W. Bailey, who was backed by Governor O. Max Gardner.

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Preceded by James E. O'Hara	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district 1887-1889	Succeeded by Henry P. Cheatham
Preceded by Marion Butler	United States Senator (Class 1) from North Carolina March 4, 1901–March 3, 1931 Served alongside: Jeter Connelly Pritchard, Lee Slater Overman, Cameron A. Morrison	Succeeded by Josiah William Bailey
Preceded by Boies Penrose Pennsylvania	Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance 1913-1919	Succeeded by Boies Penrose Pennsylvania
Preceded by Francis E. Warren	Dean of the United States Senate November 24, 1929–March 3, 1931	Succeeded by Reed Smoot
Preceded by Obadiah Gardner	Oldest living U.S. Senator July 24, 1938-April 30, 1940	Succeeded by Fountain Thompson
Preceded by Henry Heitfeld	Most Senior Living U.S. Senator (Sitting or Former) October 21, 1938 - April 30, 1940	Succeeded by Reed Smoot

v • d • e United States Senators from North Carolina

Class 2: Johnston • Martin • Franklin • Turner • Stokes • Branch • Brown • Mangum • Reid • Bragg • Abbott • Ransom • Butler • Simmons • Bailey • Umstead • Broughton • F. Graham • Smith • Lennon • Scott • Jordan • Helms • Dole Class 3: Hawkins • Bloodworth • Stone • Franklin • Stone • Locke • Macon • Iredell • Mangum • Strange • W. Graham • Haywood • Badger • Biggs • Clingman • Pool • Merrimon • Vance • Jarvis • Pritchard • Overman • Morrison • Reynolds • Hoey • Ervin • Morgan • East • Broyhill • Sanford • Faircloth • Edwards • Burr