20 Most Famous American Politicians Who Were Assassinated

20 Most Famous American Politicians Who Were Assassinated

America has had many famous politicians who shape the political climate in the world. It is also among the world’s G7 countries. This means that economically, America is among the top most advanced economies, hence, what happens in the political environment has an economic effect on the global economy. Therefore, the assassination of one of their famous politicians affects the world’s social, political, and economic aspects. Some of the famous political leaders assassinated are featured in this article.

1. Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln In Color.png Photo by IceKoldKube – Wikimedia Commons

Abraham Lincoln was born on 12, 1809. He was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He left the Union through the American Civil War to defend the nation as a constitutional union and succeeded in abolishing slavery, bolstering the federal government, and modernizing the U.S. economy.

In 1843, Abraham sought the Whig nomination for Illinois’ 7th district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Even though he was defeated by John J. Hardin, he didn’t stop planning his strategy of gaining the nomination in 1846 which he won. Abraham was assigned to the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads and the Committee of Expenditures in the War Department. 

Abraham was assassinated on April 14, 1865. This was hours after he had signed legislation establishing the United States Secret Service. After remaining in a coma for eight hours, he died the following day. 

The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most visited monuments in the nation’s capital and is one of the most visited National Park Service sites in the country. A portrait carving appears with those of three other presidents on Mount Rushmore which received 3 million visitors a year.

2. Anton Cermak

Anton Cermak cph.3b27410 (1).jpg Photo by Underwood & Underwood – Wikimedia Commons

Anton Joseph Cermak was born on May 9, 1873. He was an American politician who served as the 44th mayor of Chicago, Illinois from April 7, 1931. Anton began his political career as a Democratic Party in 1902 when he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. Anton was later elected President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1922. Anton was elected chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party in 1928, and then mayor of Chicago in 1931.

In 1928, Anton ran for the United States Senate but was later defeated by Republican Otis F. Glenn. Anton was killed by an assassin whose likely target was President Franklin D. Roosevelt, but the killer shot Anton instead after a bystander hit the assassin with a purse.

3. Albert Patterson

Albert Patterson of Alabama.jpg Photo by Unknown author – Wikimedia Commons

Albert Love Patterson was born on January 27, 1894. He was an American politician and attorney in Phenix City Alabama. Albert began his political career in 1937 as a member of the Phenix City Board of Education. By the time 1940 came around, he was chairman of the Russell County Draft Board. Later in 1946, he was elected to the Alabama State Senate, he served from 1947 to 1951.

On the evening of June 18, 1954, Albert was assassinated outside his law office shortly after he had won the Democratic nomination for Alabama Attorney General on a platform of reforming the rife corruption and vice in Phenix City. A memorial statue of Albert stands on the grounds of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery.

4. Allard K. Lowenstein

Allard K. Lowenstein.jpg Photo by Unknown author – Wikimedia Commons

Allard Kenneth Lowenstein was born on January 16, 1929. He was an American Democratic politician who served as the U.S. representative for the 5th congressional district in Nassau County, New York from 1969 to 1971. When he completed his law degree, he served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956 then became a college professor and administrator.

Later in 1968, he was elected to Congress in Long Island, New York. In 1972, he ran unsuccessfully for congress in Brooklyn against Congressman John J. Rooney. From 1977 to June 1978, Allard served with the rank of ambassador in the capacity of alternate United States Representative for Special Political Affairs to the United Nations.

On March 14, 1980, Allard was shot in his Manhattan office. In honor of his memory, Yale Law School has several programs named after him. Some of them include The Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Project and The Lowenstein Human Rights Clinic. An area adjacent to the United Nations headquarters in New York City is named Allard K. Lowenstein Square.

5. Bill Gwatney

Bill was born on August 26, 1959. He was an American politician who served as the State Chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas. Bill had served as a State Senator for ten years and as the financial chair of Mike Beebe’s campaign for Governor of Arkansas in 2006. At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Bill was selected as the superdelegate but was assassinated before the convention.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Athletic Department inducted Bill into their Hall of Fame during a ceremony on February 26, 2009.

6. Charles Bent 

Charles was born on November 11, 1799, in Charleston, Virginia. He was an American businessman and politician who served as the first civilian United States governor of the New Mexico Territory which was newly acquired by the Military Governor, Stephen Watts Kearny in September 1846.

Charles maintained his residence and a trading post in Taos, New Mexico Territory which is present-day New Mexico. Charles was the New Mexican Territorial Governor who served under the U.S. wartime occupation. Most of the people who lived there didn’t like Charles because of his negative attitude towards Mexicans.

On January 19, 1847, Charles was scalped and killed by Pueblo warriors, during the Taos Revolt. In honor of Charles, the Governor Charles Bent House is now a museum, and an elementary school in northeast Albuquerque is named in memory of him.

7. Carter Harrison Sr.

Carter Harrison, Sr. – Brady-Handy.jpg Photo by Mathew Benjamin Brady – Wikimedia Commons

Carter Henry Harrison Sr. was born on February 15, 1825. He was an American politician who served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1879 until 1887. Cater had previously served two terms in the United States House of Representatives. He became involved in politics after the Great Chicago Fire, his first act in politics was convincing Joseph Medill to run for mayor in 1871. 

In 1874, Cater was elected as Democrat to the 44th United States Congress and was subsequently reelected in 1876 to the 45th United States Congress. During his second term in congress, there was a scandal because he had pushed through the payment of benefits to four self-proclaimed Union Army veterans.

Eventually, when he retired, he became the owner and editor of the Chicago Times from 1891 to 1893. He used this as an opportunity to continue to advocate for labor unions and the many Catholic and immigrant communities in Chicago. In 1893, Carter was re-elected mayor just in time for the World’s Columbian Exposition being held in the city.

In 1893, he was elected to a fifth term as mayor but was assassinated before completing the term. In honor of his memory, The Cater H. Harrison Medal is one of two medals that is granted to sworn members of the fire and police departments who have performed distinguished acts.

8. Clementa C. Pinckney

Clementa Pinckney Portrait.jpg Photo by Dr. Blazer – Wikimedia Commons

Clementa Carlos Pinckney was born on July 30, 1973. He was an American politician and pastor who served as a Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate. Clementa represented the 45th District from 2000 until his death in 2015. He was previously a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1997 through 2000.

In 1996, he became the youngest African-Amrican man who was elected to the South Carolina General Assembly. While he served in the Senate, Clementa was an advocate for civil rights and supported body cameras after the death of Walter Scott. 

In 2015, he was assassinated by a white supremacist in a racially motivated terrorist mass shooting at an evening Bible study at his church. 

9. Edward Dexter Holbrook

Edward Dexter Holbrook (Idaho Congressman).png Photo by Williams Brothers (Philadelphia, PA), publisher – Wikimedia Commons

Edward was born on May 6, 1836. He was an American Lawyer and politician who served as a congressional delegate for the Idaho Territory from 1865 to 1869. He was elected as a Democrat to the 39th and 40th Congresses, Edward served from March 4, 1865, to March 3, 1869.

On February 4, 1869, he was censured by the United States House of Representatives for the use of parliamentary language and didn’t stand as a candidate for re-election. Edward was shot in Idaho City, Idaho Territory on June 17, 1870, and died the next day from his wounds. Holbrook, Idaho is named in his honor.

10. George Moscone

George R. Moscone Recreation Center in San Francisco, 2017-02-10 — 02.jpg Photo by Ragesoss – Wikimedia Commons

George Richard Moscone was born on November 24, 1929, he was known as The People’s Mayor. He was an American attorney and Democratic politician. George was the 37th mayor of San Francisco, California from January 1976 until his assassination in November 1978. George opened up City Hall and its diversity of san Francisco by appointing African Americans, Asian Americans, and gay people. 

George served in the California State Senate from 1967 until he became Mayor. In the Senate, he served as Majority Leader. He is remembered for being an advocate of civil progressivism.

George was a victim of the Dan White attack on November 27, 1978. His main political legacy is his opening up San Francisco City Hall to be a more diverse and inclusive place with political appointments. In 1980, sculptor Robert Arneson was commissioned to create a monument to Geroge to be installed in the New Moscone Convention Center. The bust portraying him was done in Arneson’s expressionistic style and was accepted by San Francisco’s Art Commission.

11. Harvey Milk

Harvey Milk at Gay Pride San Jose, June 1978 (cropped).jpg Photo by Ted Sahl, Kat Fitzgerald, Patrick Phonsakwa, Lawrence McCrorey, Darryl Pelletier – Wikimedia Commons

Harvey Bernard Milk was born on May 22, 1930. He was an American politician and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. His experience in the counterculture of the 1960s caused him to shed many of his conservative views about individual freedom and the expression of sexuality.

Harvey served almost eleven months in office. During this time he sponsored a bill banning discrimination in public accommodations, housing, and employment on the basis of sexual orientation. Even though he had a short career in politics, he became an icon in San Francisco and a martyr in the gay community.

On November 10, 1978, Milk was found face down on the floor. He was shot five times including twice in the head. Harvey was a victim of the Dan White attack. The City of San Francisco paid tribute to Harvey by naming serval locations after him. The San Francisco Gay Democratic Club changed its name to the Harvey Milk Memorial Gay Democratic Club in 1978.

12. Huey Long

HueyPLongGesture.jpg Photo by Uncredited news photographer – Wikimedia Commons

Huey Pierce Long Jr. was born August 30, 1893, his nickname was The KingFish. He was an American politician who served as the 40th governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and as a United States Senator from 1932 until his assassination in 1935.

Huey was a left-wing populist member of the Democratic Party and rose to national prominence during the Great Depression for his vocal criticism of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He is celebrated as a populist champion of the poor or denounced as a fascistic demagogue.

On September 8, 1935, Huey was shot just after the bill that would effectively remove Pavy was passed. There is evidence that suggests that he was accidentally shot by his bodyguards. There is also a theory that he was caught in the crossfire as his bodyguards shot the son-in-law of Pavy Carl Weiss.

13. James A. Garfield

James Abram Garfield, photo portrait seated.jpg Photo by Unknown; part of Brady-Handy Photograph Collection – Wikimedia Commons

James Abram Garfield was born on November 19, 1831. He was the 20th president of the United States. Before his candidacy for the White House, he had been elected to the U.S. Senate by the Ohio General Assembly, but he declined the position when he became president-elect.

In 1862, James was elected to Congress to represent Ohio’s 19th district. Throughout his congressional service, he firmly supported the gold standard and gained a reputation as a skilled orator.

James was struck by two shots, one glance off his arm and the other piercing his back shattering a rib and embedding itself in his abdomen. the doctors that were attending to him had at their disposal today’s medical research, knowledge, techniques, and equipment. Several of his doctors inserted their unsterilized fingers into the wound. Historians agree that massive infection was significant to his demise.

14. John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy, White House color photo portrait.jpg Photo by Cecil Stoughton, White House – Wikimedia Commons

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, he was often referred to by his initials JFK. John was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He was noted as the youngest person to assume the presidency by election and the youngest president at the end of his tenure. 

John ran in the 1960 presidential election, his campaign gained momentum after the first televised presidential debate in American history. His administration included high tensions with communist states in the Cold War. He increased the number of American military advisers in south Vietnam.

On November 22, 1963, he was assassinated in Dallas. Kennedy was honored in several ways including, the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial opened in Dallas in 1970, the National Cultural Center was named John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1964, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum on Columbia Point in Boston which was opened in 1979.

15. John Milton Elliott

John Milton Elliott statue.jpg Photo by Bedford – Wikimedia Commons

John Milton Elliott was born on May 16, 1820. He was an American lawyer and politician from Prestonsburg, Kentucky. John represented Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives from 1853 until 1857 and served in the First Confederate Congress during the American Civil War.

John later turned his loyalties to the Confederacy and he helped to form the Confederate government of Kentucky. He served in its Senate as a Senator from Kentucky. After the war, he began serving on the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

John was assassinated on March 26, 1879, by a fellow judge. He was buried at Frankfort Cemetery in Frankfort, Kentucky. His wife had a statue erected in his honor at the courthouse of Boyd County, Kentucky. 

16. John Roll

Chief Judge John Roll.jpg Photo by Administrative Office of the United States Courts – Wikimedia Commons

John McCarthy Roll was born on February 8, 1947. He was a United States district judge who served on the United States District Court for the District of Arizona from 1991 until his murder in 2011. He was chief judge of that court from 2006 to 2011. John had degrees from the University of Arizona College of Law and the University of Virginia School of law. With these degrees, he began his career as a court bailiff in Arizona and became an assistant city attorney in Tucson, Arizona in 1973. 

Later, John became a deputy county attorney for Pima County, Arizona until 1980, when he began serving as an Assistant United States Attorney for seven years. He was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to a federal judge seat in Arizona after John had served four years as a state judge.

John was killed in the 2011 Tucson shooting while he attended a constituent outreach event which was held by U. S. Representative Gabby Giffords in Casas Adobes, near Tucson, Arizona.

17. Leo Ryan

Leo Joseph Ryan Jr. was born on May 5, 1925. He was an American teacher and politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party, he served as the U.S. representative from California’s 11th congressional district from 1973 until his death. Before that, he served in the California State Assembly and represented the state’s 27th district.

Leo was known for his vocal criticism of the lack of congressional oversight of the Central Intelligence Agency and how he co-authored the Hughes-Ryan Amendment which passed in 1974. In 1978, he traveled to Guyana to investigate claims that people were being held against their will at the Peoples Temple Jonestown settlement.

Leo was the second sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives to be assassinated in office. He was pronounced dead on November 18, 1978, after an ambush that killed him and three journalists. In 1984, the National Archives and Records Center in San Bruno, California was named the Leo J. Ryan Federal Building in memory of him.

18. Robert F. Kennedy

Robert F. Kennedy Look Magazine 1963.jpg Photo by Stanley Tretick – Wikimedia Commons

Robert Francis Kennedy was born on November 20, 1925, he was widely known by his initials RFK and by the nickname Bobby. Robert was an American lawyer who served as the 64th United States Attorney General from January 1961 to September 1964. He also served as a U.S. Senator from New York from January 1965 until his assassination in 1968.

Just like his brothers John and Edward, he was a prominent member of the Democratic Party and has come to be viewed by some historians as an icon of modern American liberalism. Robert served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1944 to 1946 and then he went on to study at Harvard University. In 1953, he worked as an assistant counsel to the Senate committee which was chaired by Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Robert gained national attention as the chief counsel of the Senate Labor Rackets Committee from 1957 to 1959. At the age of 35, he was appointed United States Attorney General, and he was noted as one of the youngest cabinet members in American history. 

Robert was shot on June 5 while he was addressing his supporters at The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He was pronounced dead on June 6 which was nearly 26 hours after the shooting. Due to the fact that his death was just like his brother’s, President John Kennedy, there have been multiple conspiracy theories.

19. Robert Smith Vance 

Robert Smith Vance Sr. was born on May 10, 1931. He was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and later the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Robert was one of three 20th-century United States federal court judges who were assassinated because of his judicial service.

On November 4, 1977, Robert was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 15, 1977. Robert was later reassigned to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

On December 16, 1989, Robert was assassinated at his home in Mountain Brook, Alabama. In 1990, Congress passed the H.R. 3691 bill which was sponsored by Bill Erdreich renaming the federal building and courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama. In Memory of Robert, it was named the Robert S. Vance Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

20. William McKinley

McKinley (cropped).jpg Photo by Unknown author – Wikimedia Commons

William McKinley was born on January 29, 1843. He was the 25th president of the United States. He served from 1897 until his death in 1901. William led a realignment that made his Republican Party largely dominant in the industrial states and nationwide until the 1930s. 

William is noted as the last president to have served in the American Civil War and was the only one to begin his service as an enlisted man. In 1876, he was elected to Congress where he became the Republican expert on the protective tariff which he promised would bring prosperity. Later, he was elected governor of Ohio in 1891 and 1893, where he steered a moderate course between capital and labor interests. 

William was shot by a man in the crowd named Leon Czolgosz. Even though he got treatment immediately and seemed to be getting better, he was pronounced dead on September 14, 1901. In honor of his memory, the William McKinley Monument stands in front of the Ohio State House in Columbus.