Richard Alvin Tonry
| Richard Alvin Tonry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 1st district | |
| In office January 3, 1977 – May 4, 1977 | |
| Preceded by | Felix Edward Hebert |
| Succeeded by | Bob Livingston |
| Louisiana State Representative from District 103 (Orleans and St. Bernard parishes) | |
| In office January 1976 – December 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Elmer R. Tapper |
| Succeeded by | Edward S. Bopp |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 23, 1935 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Died | July 3, 2012 (aged 77) Lumberton, Mississippi |
| Resting place | St. Bernard Memorial Gardens in Chalmette, Louisiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Spring Hill College |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
Richard Alvin "Rick" Tonry (June 25, 1935 – July 3, 2012) was a Louisiana politician affiliated with the Democratic Party.
Birth
Tonry was born in New Orleans on June 23, 1935.[1]
Education
He graduated in 1962 from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. In 1967, he earned a law degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He practiced law in the New Orleans area for almost a decade before being elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in the first-ever nonpartisan blanket primary held at the state level in the fall of 1975.
Politics
He served a year (1976) in Louisiana House District 103 and eight months (1977) from Louisiana's 1st congressional district. Shortly after taking his state House seat, Tonry declared his candidacy for the United States Congress after the 36-year Democratic incumbent, Felix Edward Hébert, announced his retirement. He narrowly defeated Republican Bob Livingston, an assistant state attorney general, in one of the last congressional elections held before Louisiana adopted its nonpartisan blanket primary.[2]
Allegations
Tonry, investigated by the U.S. Attorney Gerald J. Gallinghouse,[3] was accused of allowing subordinates to steal votes by stuffing ballot boxes in St. Bernard Parish, a suburb of New Orleans. He was charged with receiving illegal campaign funds beyond the $1,000 federal limit then imposed per contribution. These allegation ultimately led to his resignation, his guilty pleas of campaign finance irregularities, and a six-months prison sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Montgomery, Alabama.[2][4]
Resignation
When Tonry resigned from Congress, a special election was called in August 1977, and Republican Livingston was easily elected to replace him. This seat has remained in Republican hands since that time.[2]
Death
Tonry died of natural causes in 2012 at the age of 77.[2][5]
References
- ↑ "Richard Alvin Tonry biography". Evi Technologies Ltd. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cahn, Emily. "Former Rep. Richard Tonry of Louisiana Dead at 77". Roll Call. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ↑ "Bill Crider, "This U.S. Attorney defies patronage system - He stays", October 4, 1977". news.google.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- ↑ "Richard Alvin "Rick" Tonry (1935-2012)". findagrave.com. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ↑ Ex-La. congressman Tonry dies in Miss. at 77
External links
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| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Felix Edward Hebert |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 1st congressional district 1977 |
Succeeded by Bob Livingston |
| Preceded by Elmer R. Tapper |
Louisiana State Representative from District 103 (Orleans and St. Bernard parishes)
Richard Alvin Tonry |
Succeeded by Edward S. Bopp |