- John M. Slack, Jr.
John Mark Slack, Jr. (
March 18 ,1915 -March 17 ,1980 ) was an Americanpolitician fromWest Virginia . He was a Democrat.He was born Charleston, where he attended the public schools. Later he studied in
Virginia Military Institute atLexington, Virginia .His public service career began in 1948, when he became a member of
Kanawha County Court. He sits in this court until 1952. His next public position was a Kanawha County assessor (1952-1958).When three-term 6th district Representative
Robert Byrd decided against seeking renomination in order to becameU.S. Senator (he won an election and now is the longest-serving Senator in history), Slack won the Democratic nomination and was easily elected in November. He was reelected 11 more times, never facing serious opposition. His district was renumbered as the 3rd District in 1963, after West Virginia lost a district as a result of the 1960 Census.Slack served until his death in
Alexandria, Virginia . He was replaced byJohn G. Hutchinson , winner of a special election, who served until end of term.He was interred in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, W.Va.
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