The decade of the ’50s is a turbulent time for Jake. Continuing his increasing involvement in the machinery of the Texas Democratic Party, he sustains, in 1952, the death of his wife Sugar from breast cancer. As the single father of a 6-year-0ld girl, he presses on, ultimately being named Executive Director of the State Democratic Executive Committee. In 1960, Jake marries Beryl Bolton McCarroll, a widow with two teen-aged sons. He is pleased to accept the appointment by Governor Price Daniels to be Director of the Texas Employment Commission and to also accept the attendant regular paycheck.
But in 1963, Lyndon Johnson offers a Federal Judgeship to the sitting 10th District Congressman, Homer Thornberry, who announces he will resign his seat in Congress to take the place on the bench. Jake can’t resist what he feels is the opportunity of his lifetime and throws his hat into the ring for the special election to fill the vacant seat.
On the evening of November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy is to endorse Jake’s candidacy to fill Thornberry’s seat at a gala banquet set in Austin, following the day’s activities in Dallas. Of course, that endorsement will never take place, but in the wake of the assassination, grieving Central Texans show up at the polls three weeks later on December 17 to elect Jake to the office. He is sworn in on Christmas Eve, and votes for the sale of wheat to Russia on that same day.
A brief biographical essay of Jake’s career can be found at the site of the Texas State Historical Association.
The links below this heading are to video clips in which Jake talks about some of his proudest moments in Congress, some of the challenges and byways of the job and some memorable–and humorous– moments on the campaign trail, along the way.