Milton H. West

Milton H. West
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 15th district
In office April 23, 1933 – October 28, 1948
Preceded by	John Nance Garner
Succeeded by	Lloyd Bentsen
Personal details
Born	Milton Horace West (1888-06-30)June 30, 1888 near Gonzales, Texas
Died	October 28, 1948(1948-10-28) (aged 60) Washington, D.C.
Resting place	Buena Vista Cemetery, Brownsville, Texas
Political party	Democratic

Milton Horace West (June 30, 1888 – October 28, 1948) was an American lawyer, Texas Ranger and politician who served eight terms as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives representing Texas's 15th congressional district from 1933 until his death in 1948.

Early life

Milton Horace West was born on a farm near Gonzales, Texas on June 30, 1888. As a child he attended the local public schools in Gonzales County and later enrolled at West Texas Military Academy in San Antonio, Texas. After graduation West served with the Texas Rangers from 1911 to 1912. In 1915, after being admitted to the Texas state bar, he opened his first legal practice in Floresville, Texas.

Political career

From 1922 to 1925, West served as district attorney for Texas's 28th judicial district and later as assistant district attorney from 1927 to 1930. He won his first public office in 1930 when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives where he served as a Democrat from 1930 to 1933.

Congress

In 1933 West became a U.S. Representative when he was elected to replace John Nance Garner after his resignation (due to Garner being elected Vice President). He was later reelected to seven of his own terms in congress. He was reelected unopposed in 1942, 1944, and 1946 and did not stand for reelection in 1948.

Death and burial

He died in office on October 28, 1948. He was a longtime resident of Brownsville, Texas where his body was buried in Buena Vista Cemetery.

Future U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Treasury Lloyd Bentsen won the special election to fill West's vacant seat.

Electoral history

1933 Texas's 15th congressional district special election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Milton H. West	13,546	91.20
	Republican	Carlos G. Watson	1,302	8.80
Total votes			14,848	100.0
Turnout
	Democratic hold

1934 United States House of Representatives elections

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Milton H. West (Incumbent)	20,102	100.00
Total votes			20,102	100.0
Turnout
	Democratic hold

1936 United States House of Representatives elections

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Milton H. West (Incumbent)	29,508	82.53
	Independent	J.A. Simpson	6,244	17.47
Total votes			35,752	100.0
Turnout
	Democratic hold

1938 United States House of Representatives elections

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Milton H. West (Incumbent)	18,558	99.99
	Other write-in votes	Write-in votes	2	0.010
Total votes			18,560	100.0
Turnout
	Democratic hold

1940 United States House of Representatives elections

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Milton H. West (Incumbent)	31,800	92.36
	Republican	J.A. Simpson	2,628	7.64
Total votes			34,428	100.0
Turnout
	Democratic hold

1942 United States House of Representatives elections

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Milton H. West (Incumbent)	12,169	100.00
Total votes			12,169	100.0
Turnout
	Democratic hold

1944 United States House of Representatives elections

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Milton H. West (Incumbent)	36,362	99.98
	Other write-in votes	Write-in votes	5	0.013
Total votes			36,367	100.0
Turnout
	Democratic hold

1946 United States House of Representatives elections

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Milton H. West (Incumbent)	14,623	99.98
	Other write-in votes	Write-in votes	3	0.020
Total votes			14,626	100.0
Turnout
	Democratic hold

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49)
• Texas's 15th congressional district
• United States congressional delegations from Texas

External links

United States Congress. "WEST, Milton Horace (id: W000304)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: West to Westbrook at politicalgraveyard.com