Leonard Ray BLANTON, Congress, TN (1930-1996)

BLANTON, Leonard Ray, a Representative from Tennessee; born on a farm in Hardin County, Tenn., April 10, 1930; attended the public schools of Hardin County; University of Tennessee at Knoxville, B.S., 1951; in 1954, with his father and brother, organized the B & B Construction Co.; in 1964, elected to Tennessee house of representatives from McNairy and Chester Counties; elected as a Democrat to the Ninetieth and to the two succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1967-January 3, 1973); was not a candidate for reelection in 1972 but was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the United States Senate; elected Governor of Tennessee in 1974 and served from January 18, 1975, until January 17, 1979; was not a candidate for reelection as Governor in 1978; unsuccessful candidate for nomination in 1988 to the One Hundred First Congress; died November 22, 1996.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present