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Buddie Newman
Buddie Newman
58th Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives

In office
January 1976 – January 5, 1988
Preceded by John Junkin
Succeeded by Tim Ford
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives

In office
January 1952 – January 5, 1988
Preceded by Wade Cole
Succeeded by Charles Weissinger Jr.
Member of the Mississippi State Senate
from the 20th district

In office
1948–1952
Preceded by Bernard Graft
Succeeded by Herman C. Glazier Jr.
Personal details
Born Clarence Benton Newman
(1921-05-08)May 8, 1921
Valley Park, Mississippi, U.S.
Died October 13, 2002(2002-10-13) (aged 81)
Valley Park, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Betty Petrus
Military service
Allegiance US flag 48 stars United States
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Technician fifth grade
Battles/wars World War II

Clarence Benton "Buddie" Newman (May 8, 1921 – October 13, 2002) was an American farmer and politician who served as Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1976 to 1988. He was elected to one term in the state senate before beginning his 36-year career in the House, representing his native Issaquena County.[1]

A conservative Democrat, Newman was a close ally of House Speaker Walter Sillers Jr. and Governor Ross Barnett, supporting racial segregation throughout the Civil Rights era and afterward.

Early life and education[]

Newman was born on May 8, 1921 at the Railroad Section Foreman's House in Valley Park, Mississippi, the fifth child of Minnie Belle (Prine) and Josephus Clarence Newman Sr., a farmer and foreman for the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad.[2] He was named after his father and Dr. J. B. Benton, the railroad physician who delivered him.[3][4]

In 1931, J. C. was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives when incumbent R. E. Foster died in office, and he brought the young Buddie with him to Jackson as a legislative page in 1938.[1][3]

Political career[]

A member of his local Citizens' Council, Newman was a proponent of racial segregation and white supremacy.[5] He served as an advisor to Governor Barnett during the Ole Miss riot of 1962 and was reportedly one of the strongest voices urging defiance of federal authorities on the integration of state institutions.[6] Speaker Sillers appointed him as chair of the powerful House ways and means committee in 1964.[1][7]

Later life and death[]

Newman died at his home on October 13, 2002. After lying in state in the state capitol rotunda, he was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg.[8]

References[]

External links[]

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