Catherine Small Long

Catherine Small "Cathy" Long
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Louisiana's 8th district
In office
March 30, 1985 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by Gillis William Long
Succeeded by Clyde C. Holloway
Personal details
Born (1924-02-07) February 7, 1924
Dayton, Ohio, USA
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Gillis William Long (d. 1985)
Residence Washington, D.C.
Education Bachelor of Science
Alma mater Louisiana State University
Military service
Service/branch United States Navy

Catherine Small Long (born February 7, 1924) is a Democratic former U.S. representative for Louisiana's 8th congressional district, which she filled from 1985 to 1987, the remainder of the term left by the death of her husband, Gillis William Long. Until it was disbanded in 1993, the 8th district was based in Central Louisiana about Alexandria. She was the first female military veteran elected to Congress,[1] having served as a WAVE in the United States Navy.

When she announced her candidacy in 1985, some of the wives of other U.S. representatives came into the district to campaign on her behalf.[2] Her principal opponents, whom she easily defeated in the special election, included Republican Clyde C. Holloway, a nurseryman from Forest Hill in southern Rapides Parish, and then State Representative Jock Scott of Alexandria, a Democrat who later switched parties.

Long declined to seek a full term as congresswoman in the nonpartisan blanket primary in 1986.In another bid for the seat, Holloway narrowly prevailed in the general election even though the Eighth District was among the most historically Democratic in the nation.

In his autobiographical Peapatch Politics: The Earl Long Era in Louisiana Politics, former lieutenant governor and education superintendent William J. "Bill" Dodd, an astute observer of Louisiana politics for a half century, describes Cathy Long, who compiled a liberal voting record in Congress, as the "perfect political wife."[3]

Gillis and Cathy Long had two children, George Harrison Long (born October 13, 1954) and Janis Catherine Long (born March 25, 1957). Cathy Long resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Doris Weatherford, Women in American Politics: History and Milestones, Vo. 1, p.165.
  2. ↑ "Gillis Long's widow seeks vacant Congress position", Minden Press-Herald, March 25, 1985, p. 1.
  3. ↑ Bill Dodd, Peapatch Politics: The Earl Long Era in Louisiana Politics
  • United States Congress. "Catherine Small Long (id: L000411)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • Appearances on C-SPAN
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Gillis William Long		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Louisiana's 8th congressional district
1985–1987		 Succeeded by
Clyde C. Holloway
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