Hubert Humphrey: A Legacy of Liberal Politics

Early Life and Career

Hubert Horatio Humphrey Sr. was born on May 27, 1911, in Wallace, South Dakota. His parents, Ragnild Kristine Sannes and Hubert Horatio Humphrey Sr., were Norwegian immigrants. Humphrey attended the University of Minnesota, where he became involved in politics and served as president of the student body.

Political Rise

Humphrey began his political career in 1943 when he was elected to the Minneapolis City Council. In 1948, he was elected mayor of Minneapolis, a position he held for four terms. In 1954, Humphrey was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served for 14 years.

Vice Presidency

In 1964, Humphrey was selected as the Democratic vice presidential nominee alongside Lyndon B. Johnson. The Johnson-Humphrey ticket won the election, and Humphrey became the 38th vice president of the United States.

Presidential Campaign

Humphrey sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968, but he was defeated by anti-war candidate Eugene McCarthy. However, Humphrey won the nomination after McCarthy withdrew from the race. Humphrey faced Republican candidate Richard Nixon in the general election, but he lost by a narrow margin.

Later Years

After his defeat in the presidential election, Humphrey returned to the Senate. He continued to serve until his death in 1978. Humphrey is remembered as one of the nation's most prominent liberal politicians and a tireless advocate for civil rights, education, and healthcare.