Jack Daniels (politician)

Jack Daniels
Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
In office 1967–1970
Preceded by	Ray McNeill
Personal details
Born	October 23, 1923 Council Bluffs, Iowa
Died	September 4, 2003 Hobbs, New Mexico
Political party	Democratic

Jack Daniels (October 23, 1923 – September 3, 2003) was a Democratic New Mexico state representative. He ran unsuccessfully for the governorship in 1970, and for the United States Senate in 1972.

In his last major election against Pete Domenici in 1972, Daniels took advantage of his name, which was similar to that of Jack Daniel's, a popular alcoholic beverage. He handed out tiny bottles of Jack Daniel's whiskey while campaigning. Despite this, he still lost the election to Pete Domenici, 54% to 46%.

Daniels was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1923. His family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico, in 1937. After graduation from New Mexico Military Institute in 1943, Daniels served on the destroyer USS Walton in the Pacific theater of World War II. He returned home to join his father's insurance agency. He served on the boards of a number of community associations, and was a New Mexico state representative from 1967 to 1970. He was appointed to the New Mexico State House by Governor Jack Campbell to succeed then-deceased Representative Ray McNeill.

In 1970, Daniels entered the Democratic primary in the race to fill the open seat left by outgoing liberal Republican Governor David F. Cargo, who was unable to seek a third term due to term limits. A major issue in the election was how the University of New Mexico should deal with anti-war protesters. Defenders of the University did so on the grounds of free speech, and opponents argued on the grounds of law and order.

...
Wikipedia