Albert Watson

Albert William Watson (August 30, 1922 - September 25, 1994) was a South Carolina politician.

Related Topics:
August 30 - 1922 - September 25 - 1994 - South Carolina

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Watson was born in Sumter, South Carolina and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He graduated from the University of South Carolina law school in 1950. Watson was elected to the South Carolina state general assembly in 1954, representing Richland County. He served from 1955 to 1958 and from 1961 to 1962.

Related Topics:
Sumter, South Carolina - U.S. Army Air Corps - University of South Carolina - 1950 - 1954 - Richland County - 1955 - 1958 - 1961 - 1962

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Watson was elected to the House of Representatives in 1962 as a Democrat from South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, defeating Floyd Spence, a fellow state representative who had turned Republican a few months earlier, by only five percentage points. The district, based in the state capital of Columbia, had been under growing Republican influence for some time. An open and unashamed racist and segregationist, Watson supported Barry Goldwater's campaign for President in 1964 and led South Carolina's "Democrats for Goldwater" organization. Partly because of his support for Goldwater, he was reelected without opposition as Goldwater swept the state. However, the Democratic caucus stripped him of his seniority. He resigned on February 1, 1965 and ran as a Republican in a June 15 special election to fill his vacant seat. He won with 69% of the vote, becoming the first Republican to represent South Carolina in Congress since Reconstruction. He was comfortably elected in 1966 and 1968.

Related Topics:
House of Representatives - Democrat - Floyd Spence - Republican - Columbia - Racist - Segregationist - Barry Goldwater - 1964 - February 1 - 1965 - June 15 - 1966 - 1968

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In 1970, Watson ran for Governor of South Carolina. However, by this time southern politicians were starting to deemphasize even veiled appeals to race. Watson's open racism cost him the support of many Republicans, despite the strong support of his mentor and fellow party-switcher, Senator Strom Thurmond. He lost the election by over 29,000 votes to John C. West. Historians consider Watson's gubernatorial campaign to be the last openly racist campaign in South Carolina, and one of the last in the South. Ironically, Spence, whom Watson defeated in 1962, succeeded Watson in his House seat. Spence went on to hold the seat for 30 years.

Related Topics:
1970 - Governor of South Carolina - Senator - Strom Thurmond - John C. West

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Watson retired from public life and practiced law in Columbia until his death.

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