Roger Kent

Background

Roger Kent was the son of William Kent (United States Congressman) and Elizabeth Thacher Kent, one of seven children. His father served in the United States. Congress between 1910 and 1917.

Education

After his family returned to California, Kent attended Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley beginning in 1919. He graduated from Yale College in 1928.

Career

He then boarded for three years at the Thacher School to prepare for college. He stayed in New Haven after graduation, attending Yale Law School, from which he graduated in 1931. Kent practiced law in California and was admitted to practice before the United States. Supreme Court in 1937.

During World World War II, he was a Naval officer, receiving the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry in action at Guadalcanal.

After two unsuccessful campaigns as a Democratic candidate for Congress in 1948 and 1950, Kent went to Washington in 1952, at the close of the Truman Administration, as General Counsel for the United States. Department of Defense, at a time when the Pentagon was under attack by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Returning to California, Kent became Chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee, helping to elect Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, the second Democratic Governor of the century in what had long been a traditionally Republican state.

He remained Democratic Party chair until Brown"s re-election defeat by Ronald Reagan in 1966. In the interim, he was also co-chairman of Lyndon Baines Johnson"s 1964 Presidential campaign.

Kent married Alice Cooke in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 26, 1930.

They had four children, one of whom died at a young age. Roger Kent died in 1980.

Connections

Friend:

Hubert Humphrey