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Revision as of 11:35, 25 September 2009 by Katydidit (talk | contribs) (political challenge to Gov. Connally led to JFK's assassination)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Donald Howard "Don" Yarborough | |
|---|---|
 Don Yarborough | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 15, 1925 New Orleans, Louisiana United States |
| Died | September 23, 2009 (aged 83) Houston, Texas United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Texas |
| Occupation | Attorney |
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Don Yarborough (December 15, 1925 - September 23, 2009) was an attorney in Houston, Texas who ran for Governor of Texas in 1962, 1964 and 1968. Although these campaigns were unsuccessful, they contributed strongly to the reform of the Texas Democratic Party, uniting, behind Yarborough's candidacy, traditional New Deal loyalists, organized labor, African Americans, Mexican Americans, and reform-seeking liberals, thereby enabling this coalition to capture local constituencies in the Texas House and Senate and build organizations later drawn upon by Mark White and Ann Richards, who became themselves progressive Democratic Governors.
Don Yarborough's political career must be viewed against the background of a previous challenge to the Texas conservative Democratic establishment by Senator Ralph Yarborough (no relation), who had previously succeeded in achieving election and re-election to the United States Senate, leading a similar coalition. The issues were serious. The Texas Democratic Party's leaders were for the most part racist and discriminatory against both African Americans and Mexican Americans, anti-labor, supportive of barriers to union organization and maintenance, and generally hostile to protection of consumers.
His challenge to John B. Connally in the primary race for governor in 1962, exposed political tensions that President John F. Kennedy hoped to smooth over when he visited Texas leading to his assassination on November 22, 1963.
In addition to politics, Don Yarborough has dedicated his life to the health and well being of humanity by supporting aging and paraplegia research.
Yarborough's widow is Charity O'Connell Yarborough of Houston. He was previously married to G. Lind of Bend, Oregon and Katherine "Trin" Yarborough of Ft. Worth, Texas. He had seven children and four grandchildren.
References
- Tolson, Mike Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Yarborough dies at 83, Houston Chronicle, 2009-09-23, retrieved 2009-09-23
- Life in Legacy
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