Interview with Walter D. Huddleston, January 9, 2002

Interview Summary

Walter D. Huddleston discusses the beginnings of his political career, his political career in Kentucky, and his political career in the United States Senate. He talks about pre-legislative session conferences. He talks about tensions in state legislature between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. He discusses passing legislation on gambling, civil rights, strip mining, and public education. He discusses the issues faced by Governor Louie Nunn's administration. He talks about Wendell Ford's successful campaign for governor against Bert Combs. Huddleston also discusses other important political figures in Kentucky, like Ned Breathitt, Harry Lee Waterfield, and Katherine Peden.

Interview Keyword

Harry Lee Waterfield Legislative sessions Majority leaders Progressive leadership Economic issues Legislative Research Commission Party tensions Caucus chairmen Campaign chairmanship Campaign teams Democratic primaries State legislatures Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Political tactics

Interview LC Subject

Huddleston, Walter D. (Walter Darlington), 1926-2018 Kentucky--Politics and government Democratic Party (Ky.) Kentucky. General Assembly. Senate Frankfort (Ky.) Budget--United States--States Governors--Kentucky Governors--Election Career moves Political campaigns United States. Congress. Senate. Nunn, Louie B., 1924-2004 Ford, Wendell H., 1924- Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991 Breathitt, Edward T., 1924- Peden, Katherine G. Women in politics.

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.