Historic Tidbit: In 1972, a businessman named Jack Daniels was the Democratic nominee against Pete Domenici for an open New Mexico Senate seat. Domenici, who had lost a close race for Governor two years earlier, took 54%. Daniels may have won if he had incorporated “caffeine” into his name. No word on his taste in music.
When people think of legendary Illinois political figures, names from Chicago usually come to mind. But that’s not always the case. In fact, for a long time, the most pivotal figure as far as the sdtate’s interest was from southern Illinois. And without question, Mel Price’s impact on his region in the nearly 44 years that he held his seat was invaluable, as his tenure and advocacy meant great thinks for an area of the state often taken for granted by Chicago-land pols.
Price achieved popularity for a number of reasons. One was that he epitomized the role of a local Congressman. He’d never stop at serving constituent needs, answering letters immediately and thriving at retail politicking. As generations went by, he acquired the role of father figure. For this was a poor district that few were advocating for. Price’s natural ability to do so enhanced his beloved nature. But there was also the bigger picture. In a district with a heavy defense and aquatic needs, price championed the cause with gusto.
Price was the opposite of flashy. He was actually quiet and humble. But he was dogged in seeing that his region was treaty fairly. On that score, his defining legacy may be the Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act. which protected the public while indemnifying producers over nuclear spills. He also played a major role in the location of the Scott Air Force Base.
On national issues, Price was a solid Democrat, with the exception of abortion, on which he opposed funding. But he was a backer of buildup of a strong defense and shepherded the the MX missile and B-1 bomber through his committee.
For two decades, Price chaired the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, an assignment that was vital to the economy of the region. After the 1974 election, he became chair of the Armed Services Committee.
It was not a position that he had sought. But the large freshman class of ’74 had pushed through the rules change that mandated committee chairs be selected by the full caucus, and it’s current chair, Ed Hebert had been the famous segregationist chair (he famously made Pat Schroeder and Ron Dellums share a seat). Not surprisingly, Hebert was voted out and he became the chair.
Price would be Chair for ten years but, as time went by, age made him less and less of a force. By 1984, walking was difficult and diabetes had severely limited Price’s role on the committee. Again, embers again decided they wanted a change. Les Aspin ousted him as Chair.
Price’s hold on the district, which once had been beyond unassailable, was showing signs of weakening as well. For his first 40 years, it was not uncommon for him to take 4/5 of the vote.
National Democrats would perform well here too. Hubert Humphrey would fall just shy of a majority and George McGovern would only lose it 53-47%. But as the 70’s turned into the 80’s, that would erode somewhat. Carter carried the district by a single percent in 1980 and Michael Dukakis took 54%.
And in 1984, Price saw a precipitous drop in his margin. He was held to 60% that year, not necessarily a danger zone, but certainly a signal that voters wee gently telling him to wind down his Congressional career. At that time, he was 79 and still held his chairmanship. By the time he next faced the voters, he no longer was in that position. For re-election, Price faced Bob Gaffney, who made an issue of Price’s age. That forced Price to declare that the term he was seeking would be his last. It was barely enough. Price kept his job by just 943 votes. As promised, he announced his retirement but died in August of 1988. An aircraft carrier bearing his name was approved by Congress a week later.
Price was succeeded by Jerry Costello who held the seat until he retired in January, meaning only two men held this seat in 68 years.
His son Robert challenged Costello as a Republican in 1998 but drew just 40%.
Paul Simon, whose district during his time in Congress was right next door to Price’s, may have best summed up Price’s impact on his death. He called him “a man of the people who kept a common touch after reaching great heights. He moved from being an Army corporal to contributing in a major way to the nation’s defense.”
The Mel Price locks and Dams is named for him in Alton, Illinois, as is the Melvin Price Federal Building and United States Courthouse in East St. Louis.