List of assassinated American politicians

This is a list of assassinated American politicians. Individuals listed were either elected or appointed to office, or were candidates for elected office.

Politician Portrait Party Year assassinated Office held when assassinated Site of assassination Method of assassination Name of assassin Suspected motive Ref
Arndt, Charles C. P.Charles C. P. Arndt Whig 1842 Wisconsin Territorial Legislator Madison, Wisconsin (in the Old Wisconsin State Capitol) gunshot Vineyard, James Russell Killed during an argument over a political appointment. [1]
Bent, CharlesCharles Bent 1847 Governor of New Mexico Territory Taos, New Mexico (in his home) arrows and scalping Romero, Tomás, Montoya, Pablo Targeted during Taos Revolt, a popular uprising against newly asserted US authority over region. [2]
Brown, DerwinDerwin Brown Democratic 2000 Sheriff-elect of DeKalb County, Georgia Decatur, Georgia (in his home) gunshot Cuffy, Patrick (a DeKalb County sheriff's deputy) Contract killing ordered by DeKalb County Sheriff Sidney Dorsey, who was defeated by Brown. [3]
Bunnell, VickieVickie Bunnell 1997 Colebrook, New Hampshire District Judge Colebrook, New Hampshire (outside her office) gunshot Carl Drega Targeted by assailant due to finding him guilty of code violations. [4]
Burks, TommyTommy Burks Democratic 1998 Tennessee State Senator Cumberland County, Tennessee (in his home) gunshot Looper, Byron (the incumbent Putnam County Assessor) Killed by his political opponent in 1998 State Senate race. [5]
Cardis, LouisLouis Cardis Democrat 1877 Texas State Representative El Paso, Texas gunshot Howard, Charles Killed as part of the San Elizario Salt War, a dispute over salt mining claims rooted in divisions between white and Hispanic settlers. [6]
Cermak, AntonAnton Cermak Democratic 1933 Mayor of Chicago Miami, Florida (while riding in a vehicle) gunshot to lung Zangara, Giuseppe Disputed; suspected of striking Cermak instead of intended target President-elect Franklin Roosevelt. [7]
Chaves, José FranciscoJosé Francisco Chaves Republican 1904 New Mexico Superintendent of Public Instruction Pinoswells, New Mexico gunshots (through the window of his home) unknown assailant unknown [8]
Clayton, John M.John M. Clayton Republican 1889 Congressman-elect from Arkansas Plumerville, Arkansas gunshots (through the window of his home) unknown assailant Unknown, but killed in the context of a disputed, fraudulent election. [9]
Daronco, Richard J.Richard J. Daronco 1988 Judge, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York Pelham, New York (in his home) gunshot Koster, Charles Assailant was the father of a plaintiff whose harassment suit was dismissed by Daronco. [10]
Davis, James E.James E. Davis Democratic 2003 New York City Councilman New York City, New York (at City Hall) gunshots Askew, Othniel Killed by prospective challenger for 2003 Council special election. [11]
Denhardt, HenryHenry Denhardt Democratic 1937 Lieutenant Governor (former) of Kentucky Shelbyville, Kentucky (outside the Armstrong Hotel) gunshots Garr, E.S.; Garr, Roy Killed by brothers of his late fiancée who he was charged with murdering. [12]
Edwards , Louis F.Louis F. Edwards Democratic 1939 Mayor, Long Beach, New York Long Beach, New York (outside his home) gunshot Alvin Dooley Killed by a city police officer and member of his security detail, the former head of the local police union, after Edwards supported a rival who thwarted Dooley's reelection to his union post; the assailant also shot and wounded another mayoral bodyguard, the officer who had unseated him. [13]
Elliott, John MiltonJohn Milton Elliott 1879 Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Frankfort, Kentucky (after a conversation on a public street) gunshots Thomas Buford (an incumbent Henry County District Judge) Assailant was brother of a plaintiff who lost a farm after Elliott dismissed motion for stay of foreclosure. [14]
Garfield, James A.James A. Garfield Republican 1881 President of the United States Washington, D.C. (at railway station) gunshot to spine (death took three months) Guiteau, Charles Targeted after being rejected by Republican officials for a patronage appointment. [15]
Goebel, WilliamWilliam Goebel Democratic 1900 Governor of Kentucky Frankfort, Kentucky (outside Old State Capitol) gunshot to the chest Unknown political opponents Uncertain, but killed in the context of a disputed, fraudulent election. [16]
Gwatney, BillBill Gwatney Democratic 2008 Chairman of Arkansas Democratic Party Little Rock, Arkansas (at his office at party headquarters) gunshots Johnson, Tim Timothy Dale Johnson; assailant was reported to have quit his job and become reclusive in days leading up to incident. [17]
Harrison, Sr., CarterCarter Harrison, Sr. Democratic 1893 Mayor of Chicago Chicago, Illinois (in his home) gunshot Prendergast, Patrick Eugene Killed after assailant was rejected for appointment to a patronage position.
Hasse, MarkMark Hasse Republican 2013 Assistant District Attorney for Kaufman County, Texas Kaufman, Texas (outside the County Courthouse) gunshot Williams, Eric Killed by former justice of the peace who was convicted of burglary while in office. [18]
Haughey, ThomasThomas Haughey Republican 1869 Congressman from Alabama Courtland, Alabama (at a political rally) gunshot Collins (first name unknown) Assailant was a supporter of the target's rival for the Republican nomination for the Congressional race; both men exchanged verbal insults and engaged in fisticuffs before a weapon was brandished. [19]
Hindman, Thomas C.Thomas C. Hindman Democratic 1868 Congressman (former) from Arkansas Helena, Arkansas (at his home) gunshots through window Unknown assailants Unknown; multiple theories proposed. [20]
Hinds, James M.James M. Hinds Republican 1868 Congressman from Arkansas Monroe County, Arkansas (while on horseback) gunshot Clark, George Killed by a Ku Klux Klan member as part of intimidation of Republican carpetbaggers. [21]
Holbrook, Edward DexterEdward Dexter Holbrook Democratic 1870 Delegate (former) to the United States House of Representatives from Idaho Territory Idaho City, Idaho (outside the County Courthouse) gunshot Douglas, Charles Killed by the brother-in-law of James Crutcher, as a result of a dispute between Holbrook and Crutcher for control of the Boise County Democratic Party. [22]
Jordan, LeonLeon Jordan Democratic 1970 Missouri State Representative Kansas City, Missouri (outside a restaurant) gunshots Unknown Unknown, but alleged to have been subject to a Mafia contract killing [23]
Kennedy, John F.John F. Kennedy Democratic 1963 President of the United States Dallas, Texas (while motorcading) gunshots Lee Harvey Oswald Unknown, but several theories proposed. [24]
Kennedy, Robert F.Robert F. Kennedy Democratic 1968 United States Senator from New York and candidate for Democratic presidential nomination Los Angeles, California (at the Ambassador Hotel) gunshot Sirhan Sirhan Targeted as a symbol of Western support for Israel in that country's conflict with Arab states. [25]
King, EdEd King 1986 Mayor of Mount Pleasant, Iowa Mount Pleasant, Iowa gunshot Davis, Ralph Killed during city council meeting; assailant had been in dispute with municipality over clogged sewer line. [26]
LeBreton, GeorgeGeorge LeBreton 1844 Oregon Secretary of State Oregon City, Oregon (in his office) gunshots Cockstock Killed by a Native American as part of resistance to white settlement in the area. [27]
Lincoln, AbrahamAbraham Lincoln Republican 1865 President of the United States Washington, DC. (Ford's Theatre) gunshot Booth, John Wilkes, a renowned stage actor Assailant was a Confederate sympathizer. [28]
Lloyd, Sr., Russell G.Russell G. Lloyd, Sr. Republican 1980 Mayor (former) of Evansville, Indiana Evansville, Indiana gunshot van Orden, Julia Assailant suffered from mental illness and believed she was being harassed by the city; apparently targeted Lloyd under mistaken believe that he was incumbent mayor. [29]
Long, HueyHuey Long Democratic 1935 United States Senator and presidential candidate from Louisiana Baton Rouge, Louisiana (inside the State Capitol) gunshots Carl Weiss Uncertain, but Weiss was affiliated with a political family that opposed Long's machine. [30]
Lowenstein, Allard K.Allard K. Lowenstein Democratic 1980 Congressman (former) from New York New York City, New York (in his office) gunshots Sweeney, Dennis Assailant had a history of mental illness and believed Lowenstein had been plotting against them since their acquaintance at Stanford University. [31]
McCook, Edwin StantonEdwin Stanton McCook Republican 1873 Governor of Dakota Territory Yankton, Dakota Territory (at a saloon which was being used for a public meeting) gunshot Wintermute, Peter Target and assailant had initially engaged in fisticuffs over issue of financing the Dakota Southern Railroad; after feeling publicly humiliated by loss in this fight, assailant returned with pistol. [32]
McKinley, WilliamWilliam McKinley Republican 1901 President of the United States Buffalo, New York (at Pan-American Exposition) gunshot Czolgosz, Leon Assailant was aligned with anarchist movement and killed target as symbol of American inequality. [33]
McLelland, MikeMike McLelland Republican 2013 District Attorney for Kaufman County, Texas Forney, Texas (in his home) gunshot Williams, Eric Killed by former justice of the peace who was convicted of burglary while in office. [18]
Milk, HarveyHarvey Milk Democratic 1978 San Francisco City Supervisor San Francisco, California (in his City Hall office) gunshots White, Dan, outgoing San Francisco City Supervisor Assailant had recently resigned from office due to financial difficulties; he soon changed his mind and sought reappointment; Moscone denied this request upon the advice of Milk. [34]
Moscone, GeorgeGeorge Moscone Democratic 1978 Mayor of San Francisco San Francisco, California (in his City Hall office) gunshots Assailant had recently resigned from office due to financial difficulties; he soon changed his mind and sought reappointment; Moscone denied this request upon the advice of Milk. [34]
Patterson, AlbertAlbert Patterson Democratic 1954 Alabama Attorney General-elect Phenix City, Alabama (walking to his vehicle) gunshots Unknown Target had been elected on promise to crack down on organized crime in the state, which was strongly rooted in Phenix City [35]
Pinckney, Clementa C.Clementa C. Pinckney Democratic 2015 State senator from South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina (at church) gunshots Roof, Dylann (suspect) Killed in a mass shooting while leading his church congregation. [36][37][38]
Pinckney, John M.John M. Pinckney Democratic 1905 Congressman from Texas Hempstead, Texas gunshots Unknown Killed during riot instigated by opponents of alcohol prohibition. [39]
Ramsay, DavidDavid Ramsay 1815 South Carolina State Senator and former Continental Congressman Charleston, South Carolina gunshots Linnen, William Assailant retaliated after target had deemed him insane during criminal court inquiry. [40]
Rockwell, George LincolnGeorge Lincoln Rockwell American Nazi 1967 Fringe candidate for Governor of Virginia and founder of the American Nazi Party Arlington, Virginia (outside a laundromat) gunshot Patler, John Killed after expelling assailant from party due to political differences. [41]
Roll, JohnJohn Roll 2011 Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Arizona Tucson, Arizona gunshots Loughner, Jared Lee Apparently caught in crossfire as assailant sought to assassinate (and succeeded in wounding) Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords; assailant militantly opposed government authority. [42]
Romero, TomásTomás Romero 1848 Alcalde of Taos Pueblo Taos, New Mexico (while imprisoned) gunshots John Fitzgerald Killed following capture for inciting Taos Revolt; assailant retaliating for his brother's death in this uprising. [2]
Ryan, LeoLeo Ryan Democratic 1978 Congressman from California Port Kaituma, Guyana (on airport tarmac) gunshots Unknown members of the People's Temple Ambushed while investigating allegations of human rights abuses at the Jonestown compound. [43]
Slough, John P.John P. Slough Democratic 1867 Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court Santa Fe, New Mexico (at his office) gunshot Rynerson, William (an incumbent Territorial Legislator) Killed after a public dispute in which each official accused the other of corruption. [44]
Sharp, Solomon P.Solomon P. Sharp Democratic-Republican 1825 Kentucky Attorney General, Kentucky State Senator-elect Home in Frankfort, Kentucky Stabbed (at his home) Beauchamp, Jereboam O. Killed over a longstanding dispute that was based partially on political differences and partially on Sharp fathering a child with the woman Beauchamp later married. [45]
Smith, JosephJoseph Smith 1844 Mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, candidate for U.S. President Carthage, Illinois (while imprisoned) Shot The Carthage Greys Founder of the controversial Mormon faith; lynched after surrendering to authorities investigating Smith's role in the destruction of an antagonistic Nauvoo newspaper. [46]

[47]

Stephens, John W.John W. Stephens 1870 North Carolina State Senator Yanceyville, North Carolina (in the County Courthouse) gunshots Unknown, mobbed by estimated 8 to 12 men Killed by Ku Klux Klan member as part of intimidation of Republican scalawags. [48]
Steunenberg, FrankFrank Steunenberg Democratic 1905 Governor (former) of Idaho Caldwell, Idaho (outside his home) Bomb, set at front gate of his home Orchard, Harry, possibly others Targeted by organized labor for breaking a violent mining strike. [49]
Strang, JamesJames Strang Democratic 1856 Michigan State Representative Beaver Island, Michigan (at a steamship terminal) gunshot Bedford, Thomas Killed by a disgruntled former member of the Mormon sect led by Strang. [50]
Swoboda, MikeMike Swoboda 2008 Mayor of Kirkwood, Missouri Kirkwood, Missouri (during a city council meeting) Gunshot (died seven months later from complications)

[51]

 Charles Lee "Cookie" Thornton Assailant retaliated for fines levied by municipality for code violations. [52]
Thornton, JohnJohn Thornton 2010 Mayor of Washington Park, IL Washington Park, Illinois (in his vehicle) gunshot Jackson, Aaron Unknown; assailant was allegedly a passenger in target's car. [53]

[54]

Vance, Robert SmithRobert Smith Vance 1989 Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Mountain Brook, Alabama (in his home) mail bomb Moody, Walter Leroy, Jr. Killed after court refused to expunge from assailant's record a previous conviction for explosives possession. [55]
Wood, Samuel NewittSamuel Newitt Wood 1891 Kansas Territorial Legislator, Kansas State Senator Hugoton, Kansas (outside County Courthouse) gunshots Brennan, James Killed during series of armed conflicts in which residents of the two largest towns of Stevens County fought for county seat status. [56]
Wood, Jr., John H.John H. Wood, Jr. 1979 Judge, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas San Antonio, Texas (outside his home) gunshot Harrelson, Charles Contract killing ordered by Jamiel Chagra due to target's harsh convictions of Latin American drug kingpins. [57]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 'Wisconsin's Saddest Tragedy,' M.M. Qualife, Wisconsin Historical Society: 1922, vol 15, no. 5, pg. 264-283
  2. 1 2 Durand, John, ‘’The Taos Massacres’’, Puzzlebox Press, Elkhorn, WI 2004
  3. ↑ "Former Sheriff Guilty in Successor's Killing". The New York Times. July 11, 2002.
  4. ↑ http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986915-1,00.html
  5. ↑ "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians". Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  6. ↑ https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fca49
  7. ↑ Kendall, Peter. "The shooting of Anton Cermak". Chicago Tribune.
  8. ↑ http://newmexicohistory.org/people/jose-francisco-chaves
  9. ↑ Barnes, Kenneth. "John Middleton Clayton (1840–1889)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture.
  10. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/23/nyregion/slain-judge-ruled-against-his-killer-s-daughter.html
  11. ↑ http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/trends/columns/cityside/n_9038/
  12. ↑ Devine, Thomas E. (September 21, 1937). "Murder Suspect Slain in Street". Bend Bulletin. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  13. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/52761883/
  14. ↑ books.google.com/books?id=3TkVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA205&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=0_0
  15. ↑ http://ghostsofdc.org/2012/01/25/president-garfields-assassin-charles-guiteaus-time-in-washington/
  16. ↑ http://kentuckyexplorer.com/nonmembers/3-goebel.html
  17. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20080924031120/http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2008/08/22/News/347610.html
  18. 1 2 http://news.yahoo.com/killing-texas-district-attorney-wife-seen-targeted-004859469.html
  19. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=MQkWBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18&dq=congressman+thomas+haughey&source=bl&ots=sWdMtv7YUc&sig=hec9r-kjOBbZLmGRjY1VAfDAnKY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CmubVKqVEZWvyATdy4KoAw&ved=0CD8Q6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=congressman%20thomas%20haughey&f=false
  20. ↑ Neal, Diane (1997). The Lion of the South: General Thomas C. Hindman. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press. ISBN 0-86554-556-1.
  21. ↑ http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=4630
  22. ↑ http://www.id.uscourts.gov/Content_Fetcher/index.cfml/ILHS_Newsletter_July_2009_1943.pdf?Content_ID=1943
  23. ↑ http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/30/2372174/70s-slaying-of-kc-politician-a.html
  24. ↑ http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/contents/hsca/contents_hsca_report.htm
  25. ↑ http://www.jewishjournal.com/opinion/article/palestinian_terror_stretches_back_to_rfk_killing_at_the_ambassador_hotel_20
  26. ↑ "American Notes Revenge - TIME magazine". Time. 1986-12-22. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
  27. ↑ http://bluebook.state.or.us/notable/notsos.htm/
  28. ↑ Kauffman, Michael W. (2005). American Brutus. Random House Digital. p. 185. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
  29. ↑ http://local.evpl.org/views/viewarticle.asp?id=405955
  30. ↑ http://www.hueylong.com/life-times/assassination.php
  31. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=V-MiAAAACAAJ
  32. ↑ http://www.sdshspress.com/index.php?&id=1885&sub_action=1&txsbpxsd=txsbpxsd&action=960
  33. ↑ http://mckinleydeath.com/documents/newspapers/CST60-251b.htm
  34. 1 2 Mike Weiss, Double Play: The Hidden Passions Behind the Double Assassination of George Moscone and Harvey Milk (San Francisco: Vince Emery Productions, 2010) pp. 213-216, 474.
  35. ↑ http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-1250
  36. ↑ "Tragedy strikes Charleston, South Carolina". MSNBC. June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  37. ↑ http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150617/PC16/150619408
  38. ↑ "Nine shot, multiple fatalities reported in downtown church shooting". The Post And Courier. 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  39. ↑ http://www.policyarchive.org/handle/10207/bitstreams/675.pdf
  40. ↑ The Analectic Magazine, September 1815 (collected in Volume 6), "Biographical Memoir of David Ramsay, M.D." (by Robert Y. Hayne but uncredited in source), p. 224.
  41. ↑ https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d0tkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9nQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=862,4544453&dq=john-patler+stormtrooper+-wikipedia&hl=en
  42. ↑ http://www.ibtimes.com/who-jared-lee-loughner-253287
  43. ↑ Reiterman, Tim; Jacobs, John (1982). Raven: The Untold Story of Rev. Jim Jones and His People. Dutton. ISBN 0-525-24136-1.
  44. ↑ Death Comes for the Chief Justice (1992) by Gary L. Roberts, p. 70.
  45. ↑ Cooke, J.W. (January 1998). "The Life and Death of Colonel Solomon P. Sharp Part 1: Uprightness and Inventions; Snares and Nets" (PDF). The Filson Club Quarterly 72 (1).
  46. ↑ "Joseph Smith: Campaign for President of the United States" (2009) by Arnold K. Garr.
  47. ↑ "American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church" (2014) by Alex Beam.
  48. ↑ http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9B05E6DA1539EF34BC4E51DFB4668388669FDE
  49. ↑ http://steunenberg.blogspot.com/2009/01/gate-on-16th-avenue-as-it-appears-today.html
  50. ↑ http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/Strang,%20The%20Martyred%20Prophet.htm
  51. ↑ http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/FB655C8A51D2B402862574BC00544C98?OpenDocument
  52. ↑ "6 dead in shooting rampage at Kirkwood City Council". St. Louis Post Dispatch. 2008-02-07. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  53. ↑ Suhr, Jim. "Mayor of Troubled Illinois Town Is Slain." Associated Press. April 1, 2010. Retrieved on April 2, 2010.
  54. ↑ Spriggs, Afton. "Mayor of Washington Park found shot to death, 1 person in custody." KMOV. April 1, 2010. Retrieved on April 1, 2010.
  55. ↑ http://blog.al.com/wire/2012/11/roy_moore_bob_vance_face_off_i.html
  56. ↑ Memorial of Samuel N. Wood (1892) by Margaret Lyon Wood
  57. ↑ http://articles.latimes.com/1989-06-11/news/mn-3094_1_district-judge-john-wood-charles-harrelson-el-paso

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