Coleman Livingston Blease

Democrat Senator of South Carolina

Senator
South Carolina
December 7, 1925 - March 3, 1931

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1868 (74 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1942

Death

Served as the 89th governor of South Carolina from 1911 to 1915.
Represented South Carolina in the United States Senate from 1925 to 1931.
Known for building a political base among white textile mill workers and sharecroppers.
Notorious for his white supremacist views and advocacy of lynching.
Opposed education for black people and advocated penalties for interracial couples.
Criticized for his vitriolic demeanor and for campaigning on racial prejudices rather than political promises.
Experienced in law, having been educated at Newberry College, the University of South Carolina, and Georgetown University.
Began his political career in the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1890.
His rise to power was marked by support from both sharecroppers and white mill workers, despite initial setbacks in his political career.
As governor, he was known for erratic legislative programs, opposition to compulsory education and factory inspections, and a high number of pardons.
Advocated for segregation and encouraged practices such as lynching.
Despite his controversial stance on race and reform, his tenure saw the introduction of measures beneficial to common schools, hydroelectric companies, and public health.
Opposed the consumption of carbonated soft drinks, advocating instead for the availability of beer.
His political style, known as “Bleasism,” was characterized by appealing to the prejudices and aspirations of his supporters.
Failed in several bids for political office after his governorship but was eventually elected to the U.S. Senate, where he continued to promote his racist ideologies.
Proposed an anti-miscegenation amendment to the US Constitution and criticized the First Lady for inviting a black guest to the White House.
Played a significant role in the creation of Section 1325, which criminalized unlawful entry into the United States.