Letter from Washington

Primary fights may blight the re-election hopes of a number of Southern Democratic senators. Democrats had expected to do well in the South in 1972, but intraparty fighting, the Presidential campaign and uncertainty about the ’72 Wallace drive have created much nervousness. John Sparkman, 72-year-old Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, will be challenged by Alabama state auditor Melba Allen in the May primary. The winner may face former Postmaster General Winton M. Blount in the general election. In Georgia, newly appointed Senator David Gambrell, successor to the late Richard Russell, faces a primary challenge from Congressman W. S. Stuckey of Eastman. The winner will face either GOP National Committee-man Bo Callaway or popular Atlanta Congressman Benjamin Blackburn, a sometime critic of the Administration and a comer in Georgia politics.

North Carolina’s veteran Senator Everett Jordan will probably seek reelection. Thought to be in trouble a year ago, Jordan has mended his fences back home and may be strong enough to avoid a challenge from Congressman Nick Galifinakis. Jordan will try to stay clear of the North Carolina Democratic Presidential primary. In South Carolina Democratic competition for the chance to oppose Strom Thurmond is noticeably less strenuous than it was this summer. Thurmond too, will try to steer clear of Presidential politics.

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Richard Nixon

Presidential Election

Primary fights may blight the re-election hopes of a number of Southern Democratic senators. Democrats had expected to do well in the South in 1972, but intraparty fighting, the Presidential campaign and uncertainty about the ’72 Wallace drive have created much nervousness. John Sparkman, 72-year-old Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, will be challenged by Alabama state auditor Melba Allen in the May primary. The winner may face former Postmaster General Winton M. Blount in the general election. In Georgia, newly appointed Senator David Gambrell, successor to the late Richard Russell, faces a primary challenge from Congressman W. S. Stuckey of Eastman. The winner will face either GOP National Committee-man Bo Callaway or popular Atlanta Congressman Benjamin Blackburn, a sometime critic of the Administration and a comer in Georgia politics.

North Carolina’s veteran Senator Everett Jordan will probably seek reelection. Thought to be in trouble a year ago, Jordan has mended his fences back home and may be strong enough to avoid a challenge from Congressman Nick Galifinakis. Jordan will try to stay clear of the North Carolina Democratic Presidential primary. In South Carolina Democratic competition for the chance to oppose Strom Thurmond is noticeably less strenuous than it was this summer. Thurmond too, will try to steer clear of Presidential politics.