Ed Brooke was the first Black U.S. senator elected by popular vote. His two predecessors, both Reconstruction era, were elected by the Mississippi state legislature when it was still in Republican hands (this was, need I say, back when it really was the party of Lincoln). Once the secessionist white Democrats got their vote back, that wa…
Ed Brooke was the first Black U.S. senator elected by popular vote. His two predecessors, both Reconstruction era, were elected by the Mississippi state legislature when it was still in Republican hands (this was, need I say, back when it really was the party of Lincoln). Once the secessionist white Democrats got their vote back, that was the end of that. The 17th Amendment, providing for direct popular election of U.S. senators, was ratified in 1913.
Ed Brooke was the first Black U.S. senator elected by popular vote. His two predecessors, both Reconstruction era, were elected by the Mississippi state legislature when it was still in Republican hands (this was, need I say, back when it really was the party of Lincoln). Once the secessionist white Democrats got their vote back, that was the end of that. The 17th Amendment, providing for direct popular election of U.S. senators, was ratified in 1913.
I thought so (first elected by popular vote) but I wasn't sure. Thanks for that!