John Bennett Johnston Jr

J. Bennett Johnston, a U.S. senator who represented Louisiana for 24 years, died March 25, 2025 of complications from COVID-19 at a hospital in McLean, Virginia at the age of 92. First elected in 1972, after having served as a state representative for eight years, Johnston was a conservative Democrat known for working across the aisle, sometimes voting with Republicans when he thought it would serve his state. In 1990, made national headlines when he defeated Ku Klux Klansman David Duke in that year's Senate race. Chairman of Johnston & Associates, LLC, a business consulting firm. Chairman of Johnston Development Co. LLC, a project development firm. United States Senator from 1972 until 1997. (father-in-law of Tim Roemer), a Senator from Louisiana; born in Shreveport, Caddo Parrish, La., June 10, 1932; educated in the public schools of Shreveport, La.; attended Washington and Lee University and United States Military Academy; graduated, Louisiana State University Law School, Baton Rouge, La., 1956; admitted to the Louisiana bar in 1956 and commenced practice in Shreveport; served in the United States Army, Judge Advocate General Corps, Germany, 1956-1959; member, Louisiana house of representatives 1964-1968, serving as floor leader; member, State senate 1968-1972; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate, November 7, 1972, for the term commencing January 3, 1973; subsequently appointed by the Governor to complete the unexpired term ending January 3, 1973, caused by the death of Allen J. Ellender and left vacant by the resignation of Elaine S. Edwards; reelected in 1978, 1984, and again in 1990 and served from November 14, 1972, to January 3, 1997; was not a candidate for reelection in 1996; chairman, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (Ninety-fourth Congress), Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (One Hundredth through One Hundred Third Congresses); engaged in the consulting and development businesses.