Guy Banister and the Free Electors
Author: jpshinley
Email: jpshinley@my-dejanews.com
Date: 1998/08/11
Orleanians who carefully examined their ballots in
the December 7, 1963, gubernatorial primary, would have
found some interesting choices at the bottom of the ballot
in the races for spots on the State Democratic Central
Committee. Some examples:
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Ward 4 William Guy Banister
Ward 6 Jack S. Martin, Sr.
Ward 7 Mrs. Delphine Roberts
Ward 12 Vernon Gerdes
Ward 16 George Higginbotham
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(NOTP; Dec 6, 1963, S2-P2)
What could have prompted such a curious group to run for
such an obscure position? It all began as a scheme to deny JFK,
in the 1964 elections, Louisiana's electoral votes regardless
of the outcome of the popular vote.
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In May of 1963, "200 persons from throughout" Louisiana met
in Baton Rouge to establish the Louisiana Commitee for Free
Electors. State Senator Harold Montgomery of Doyline was
elected chairman. Two representatives from each Congressional
District were chosen. Guy Banister was selected to represent
the First District. (NOTP; May 12, 1963; s 1, p 11) Pages 322
to 327 of Glen Jeansonne's book, "Leander Perez" (Baton Rouge:
LSU Press, 1977) describe the interest of Perez in the Free
Elector Campaign. Note the mention of Perez's control of the
First District on page 323. Banister probably couldn't have
been chosen to represent that district without at least the
tacit approval of Perez.
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The previous year, Senator Montgomery had introduced a
resolution condemning the activities of the FBI in
Louisiana. "We are outraged by the prostitution of the once
great [FBI], and its present misuse as a political police
force, not dissimilar in method and result to the Gestapo or
NKVD..." Robert Kennedy was especially singled out for
responsibility. (NOTP; July 4, 1962; s 2, p 1)
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In pursuit of the Free Electors scheme, Montgomery
sponsored a bill in the Louisiana legislature. When that
failed to pass. Leander Perez pushed a resolution through
the State Democratic Central Committee to pick Presidential
Electors in the primary before the Democratic party had
even formally nominated a candidate. There was one catch.
A new Central Committee would be elected on December 7.
The Free Electors would need to maintain control of the
Committee. They sponsored a slate of 344 candidates, including
Jack Rogers, counsel of the the Louisiana Un-American activities
committee. (NOTP; Dec 7, 1963; S1-P2)
-
Ultimately, the Free Electors failed. The assassination
didn't increase their popularity. Banister only received
814 of the ~10,000 votes cast in Ward 4. (NOTP; December 10, 1963;
S1-P23) Perez and his circle ended up supporting Goldwater in '64.
Jerry Shinley