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 Party
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 from Louisiana. She served from 1985 to 1987, the remainder of the term of her husband, Gillis William Long, after his death. Long represented the since disbanded Eighth Congressional District based in central Louisiana about Alexandria. She was the first female veteran elected to Congress,[1] having served as a WAVE in the United States Navy.

When she announced her candidacy in 1985, she obtained support from some wives of other U.S. representatives who came into the district to campaign for her.[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 jungle primary of 1986. Her seat narrowly went Republican in the general election even though the Eighth District was among the most historically Democratic in the nation.[3] Cathy Long resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

In his autobiography, 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."

With her husband, Gillis, Long had two children, George Harrison Long (born October 13, 1954) and Janis Catherine Long (born March 25, 1957).

References

  1. ↑ Women in American Politics: History and Milestones, Volume 1 By Doris Weatherford, p.165
  2. ↑ "Gillis Long's widow seeks vacant Congress position", Minden Press-Herald, March 25, 1985, p. 1
  3. ↑ See Clyde C. Holloway.
United States 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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