James A. Gallagher

American politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

James A. Gallagher

James A. Gallagher (January 16, 1869 – December 8, 1957) was an American banker, businessman, and Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.[1][2]

Quick Facts Preceded by, Succeeded by ...
James A. Gallagher
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 1st district
In office
January 3, 1947  January 3, 1949
Preceded byWilliam A. Barrett
Succeeded byWilliam A. Barrett
In office
January 3, 1943  January 3, 1945
Preceded byLeon Sacks
Succeeded byWilliam A. Barrett
Personal details
Born(1869-01-16)January 16, 1869
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
DiedDecember 8, 1957(1957-12-08) (aged 88)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Resting placeHoly Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, Pennsylvania
Political partyRepublican
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Early life

James A. Gallagher was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 16, 1869. He attended the public schools and Philadelphia's Pierce College from 1891 to 1893. Professionally, he began work in merchandise warehousing and transportation in 1886, and later worked in the banking industry.[3][4]

Congress

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Perspective

Gallagher was elected to Congress as a Republican in November of 1942, defeating three-term Democratic incumbent Leon Sacks. In 1944, he lost his re-election bid to Democrat William A. Barrett, who rode to victory on the coattails of the very popular Franklin D. Roosevelt. Two years later, Gallagher returned to Washington during the Republican sweep of Congress in 1946, but would lose renomination in 1948 to Republican John De Nero, who went on to lose to Barrett in November, 53-47%.[5][6] Barrett went on to represent Philadelphia in Congress for 26 more years until his death in 1976.[7]

As a Congressman, Gallagher had a generally conservative voting record, voting with the Republican Party in 89 and 86 percent of his votes in the 78th and 80th Congresses, respectively.[8] Some of Gallagher's most important votes included voting present on the 1944 G.I. Bill, voting for the Taft-Hartley Act, and voting to amend the United States Constitution to establish term limits. All three bills passed.[9][10][11] Gallagher also supported strengthening the U.S. military during the opening stages of the Cold War and reducing inflation.[12][13] Additionally, he also had a pro-civil rights voting record, voting for an anti-poll tax bill in 1947.[14] During his tenures, Gallagher served on three committees - the Census, Pensions, and Printing committees during his first term, and the House Administration Committee during his second.[15][16] Gallagher cast 182 total votes duering his congressional career, 89 in his first term and 93 in his second. He missed 16 percent of roll call votes, significantly worse than the average of 3.5 percent.[17]

Death

After losing his congressional primary in 1948, Gallagher returned to private life in Philadelphia. He died on December 8, 1957, at age 88. He was interred at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.[18][19]

Electoral history

More information Year, Subject ...
Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district: Results 1942-1946[20][21][22]
Year Subject Party Votes  % Opponent Party Votes  %
1942 James A. Gallagher Republican 44,519 53.45 Leon Sacks (inc.) Democratic 38,768 46.55
1944 James A. Gallagher (inc.) Republican 52,159 41.58 William A. Barrett Democratic 73,289 58.42
1946 James A. Gallagher Republican 70,680 57.34 William A. Barrett (inc.) Democratic 52,593 42.66
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References

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