Michael A. Feighan

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Michael A. Feighan of Cleveland, Ohio, born February 16, 1905, died 1992. He was a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1943 to 1971. Originally, he was recruited by national Democrats that wanted to replace Congressman Martin L. Sweeney (D-OH) who was considered too isolationist and had debated against enacting Lend Lease for the United Kingdom. Sweeney held the seat for twenty-eight years representing the West side of Cleveland. After almost three decades in the House of Representatives, some local Democratic leaders, led by Cleveland City Council President James V. Stanton, grew tired of his leadership. Sensing they could not beat him in one election, they set up a stalking horse running a Michael Sweeney, a local lawyer with a good political name. Sweeney lost, but his vote total showed Feighan could be vulnerable in a rematch. Two years later, in 1970, James V. Stanton ran and defeated Feighan in the Democratic primary ending Feighan's career.