Wendell P. Kay

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Wendell Palmer Kay (August 17, 1913 – June 29, 1986)^[1] was an American Democratic politician from Alaska.

Born in Illinois Palmer, a lawyer, was a member of the Alaska Territorial House of Representatives from 1951 to 1956, representing 3rd district, and the Speaker of this body during his last term (1955-1956).

In addition, during the 1956 Democratic National Convention he served as an alternate delegate from Alaska Territory and a full delegate from the State of Alaska to the successive 1960 Convention.

After U.S. Senator Bob Bartlett, a fellow Democrat, died in office in 1968, then-Republican Governor Walter Joseph Hickel appointed Ted Stevens, former U.S. Attorney and a high-level official in the United States Department of Interior during President Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration, to fill the vacancy.

Because of this, in 1970 Alaska set a special election for remainder of Bartlett's term. Kay run as a Democratic nominee against incumbent Stevens and was defeated by 59.6% won by Stevens versus 40.4% won by him. Stevens still serving in the Senate and is, as of 2007, the longest serving Republican Senator and President pro tempore emeritus of the Senate (he was president pro temp from 2003 to 2007).