Walter Walker (politician)
| Walter Walker | |
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United States Senator from Colorado |
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In office September 26, 1932 – December 6, 1932 |
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| Preceded by | Charles W. Waterman |
| Succeeded by | Karl C. Schuyler |
| Chairman of the Colorado Democratic State Committee | |
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In office September 18, 1930 – September 22, 1932 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Annear |
| Succeeded by | James A. Marsh |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
April 3, 1883 Marion, Kentucky |
| Died | October 8, 1956 (aged 73) Grand Junction, Colorado |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Newspaper owner and editor |
Walter Walker (April 3, 1883 – October 8, 1956) was a newspaper owner and editor in Colorado who served as Democratic United States Senator in late 1932 after being appointed to fill a vacancy pending a special election.
Walker was born in Marion, Kentucky on April 3, 1883. The son of Robert C. Walker, the owner of the Crittenden Press newspaper, Walter Walker was educated locally, and then moved to Colorado in 1903.
After settling in Grand Junction, Walker worked in the newspaper business, eventually becoming editor, manager, and chief owner of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Walker's staff included Dalton Trumbo, whom Walker hired as a reporter in 1920, and employed for four years. In addition to running the newspaper, Walker was a civic activist, and his efforts included management of Grand Junction's successful lyceum.
During the 1920s revival of the Ku Klux Klan, Walker was an early member. He subsequently turned against the group, and published editorials in opposition. In September 1925, several local Klan leaders including a deputy sheriff and a police officer assaulted Walker as he walked from the barber shop to his newspaper office. Others on the street eventually intervened, and before leaving to seek medical aid Walker informed the Klan members that physical intimidation would not prevent him from continuing his anti-Klan campaign.In 1924, 1928, and 1932, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. From 1930 to 1932 he served as chairman of Colorado's Democratic state committee.
On September 26, 1932, Walker was appointed to the U.S. Senate, temporarily filling the vacancy caused by the death of Charles W. Waterman. He ran in the special election for the remainder of the term, but was defeated by Republican Karl C. Schuyler. Walker served until December 6, 1932, when Schuyler was sworn in.
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