Harris McDowell

Harris Brown McDowell Jr. (February 10, 1906 – November 24, 1988) was an American farmer and politician from Middletown in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and five terms as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

This article is about Harris B. McDowell Jr., the most prominent member of Delaware's McDowell political dynasty. For his father, see Harris McDowell Sr. For his son, see Harris McDowell III.

Harris McDowell
Official portrait, 1955
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's at-large district
In office January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1967
Preceded by	Hal Haskell
Succeeded by	William Roth
In office January 3, 1955 – January 3, 1957
Preceded by	Herbert Warburton
Succeeded by	Hal Haskell
Secretary of State of Delaware
In office January 18, 1949 – January 20, 1953
Governor	Elbert N. Carvel
Preceded by	William J. Storey
Succeeded by	John N. McDowell
Member of the Delaware Senate from the 7th New Castle County district
In office November 4, 1942 – November 6, 1946
Preceded by	Robert A. Derrickson
Succeeded by	Wilson A. David
Member of the Delaware House of Representatives from the 14th New Castle County district
In office November 6, 1940 – November 4, 1942
Preceded by	Randolph P. Reynolds
Succeeded by	Frank A. Lawson
Personal details
Born	Harris Brown McDowell Jr. (1906-02-10)February 10, 1906 Middletown, Delaware, U.S.
Died	November 24, 1988(1988-11-24) (aged 82) Middletown, Delaware, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Presbyterian Cemetery
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Florence Roberta Neary ​ ​ (m. 1928; died 1978)​
Children	3, including Harris III
Parent	Harris McDowell Sr. (father)
Residence	Middletown, Delaware
Alma mater	Beacom Business College
Occupation	Farmer politician

Early life and family

McDowell was born near Middletown, Delaware. His father, Harris McDowell Sr., served in the Delaware Senate from 1923 to 1927. The younger McDowell attended the public schools of Middletown, and graduated from Beacom Business College in Wilmington. He married the former Florence Roberta Neary in 1928, with whom he had 3 children.^[1] He lived in Middletown, was engaged in farming, also in the insurance and real estate business, and was a member of the State Board of Agriculture from 1937 until 1940.

Political career

McDowell served in the State House during the 1941–42 session and then in the State Senate for the 1943–44 and 1945–46 sessions. During those years he was a director of Interstate Milk Producers Cooperative and member of Delaware Farm Bureau from 1941 until 1948. He served as Secretary of State for Delaware during Governor Elbert N. Carvel's first term, from 1949 until 1953, and was a member of New Castle County Zoning Commission in 1953 and 1954.

President John F. Kennedy meets with members of Congress. Left to right: Representative Phil M. Landrum (Georgia); Representative James William Trimble (Arkansas); Representative Harris B. McDowell Jr. (Delaware); President Kennedy; Representative Carl Elliott (Alabama); Representative Stanley R. Tupper (Maine). Oval Office, White House, Washington, D.C.

McDowell was elected to the U.S. Representatives in 1954, defeating Republican Lillian I. Martin. During this term, he served with the Democratic majority in the 84th Congress. He lost his bid for a second term in 1956 to Republican Hal Haskell. McDowell then was elected again to the U.S. Representatives in 1958, this time defeating Haskell, and won election three more times, also defeating Republicans James T. McKinstry in 1960, Wilmer F. Williams in 1962, and James H. Snowden in 1964. During these terms, he served with the Democratic majority in the 86th, 87th, 88th, and 89th congresses. Finally, he lost his bid for a sixth term in 1966 to William Roth, then a Wilmington lawyer. His support of President Lyndon B. Johnson's war policies may have contributed to his defeat. In all, he served twice, once from January 3, 1955, until January 3, 1957, and again from January 3, 1959, until January 3, 1967, during the administrations of U.S. presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

McDowell did not sign the 1956 Southern Manifesto, and voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1960 and 1964,^[2][3] and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.^[4]

Death and legacy

McDowell died in Middletown, Delaware, on November 24, 1988, Thanksgiving Day, after a stroke a month prior.^[5] He is buried in the Forest Presbyterian Cemetery there. His son, Harris McDowell III, was a member of the Delaware Senate from 1977 to 2021.

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. Members of the General Assembly take office the second Tuesday of January. State Senators have a four-year term and State Representatives have a two-year term. U.S. Representatives take office January 3 and have a two-year term.

Public offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	Notes
State Representative	Legislature	Dover	January 3, 1941	January 3, 1943
State Senator	Legislature	Dover	January 3, 1943	January 3, 1947
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	January 3, 1955	January 3, 1957
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	January 3, 1959	January 3, 1961
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	January 3, 1961	January 3, 1963
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	January 3, 1963	January 3, 1965
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	January 3, 1965	January 3, 1967

United States congressional service
Dates	Congress	Chamber	Majority	President	Committees	Class/District
1955–1957	84th	U.S. House	Democratic	Dwight D. Eisenhower		at-large
1959–1961	86th	U.S. House	Democratic	Dwight D. Eisenhower		at-large
1961–1963	87th	U.S. House	Democratic	John F. Kennedy		at-large
1963–1965	88th	U.S. House	Democratic	John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson		at-large
1965–1967	89th	U.S. House	Democratic	Lyndon B. Johnson		at-large

Election results
Year	Office		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
1954	U.S. Representative		Harris McDowell	Democratic	79,201	55%		Lillian I. Martin	Republican	65,035	45%
1956	U.S. Representative		Harris McDowell	Democratic	84,644	48%		Hal Haskell	Republican	91,538	52%
1958	U.S. Representative		Harris McDowell	Democratic	76,797	50%		Hal Haskell	Republican	76,099	50%
1960	U.S. Representative		Harris McDowell	Democratic	98,227	50%		James T. McKinstry	Republican	96,337	50%
1962	U.S. Representative		Harris McDowell	Democratic	81,166	53%		Wilmer F. Williams	Republican	71,934	47%
1964	U.S. Representative		Harris McDowell	Democratic	112,361	57%		James H. Snowden	Republican	86,254	43%
1966	U.S. Representative		Harris McDowell	Democratic	72,142	44%		William Roth	Republican	90,961	56%
1968	U.S. Representative		Harris McDowell	Democratic	82,993	41%		William Roth	Republican	117,827	59%