Price Daniel

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Texas politician Price Daniel

Marion Price Daniel, Sr. (October 10, 1910 - August 25, 1988) was a politician from the state of Texas.

Daniel was born in Dayton, Texas and he graduated from Baylor University. He worked as a lawyer in Liberty County, Texas. Daniel won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 1939 as a Democrat. Daniel opposed Texas adopting a sales tax and he was elected Speaker of the House in 1943. After a term as Speaker, Daniel enlisted in the United States Army as a Private. He was discharged in 1946 with the rank of captain.

He returned to Texas and won the seat of Attorney General. Daniels defended the University of Texas law school in the Sweatt v. Painter case. Daniels was also involved in the Tidelands controversy and he endorsed Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1952 Presidential Election. Daniel was elected to the United States Senate in 1952 and one of his first acts in the Senate was to draft a tidelands bill which was signed by President Eisenhower. Opposed to desegregation efforts, he also signed the so-called Southern Manifesto in 1956. Daniel also worked on a narcotics probe and reforming the electoral college.

Daniel ran for and was elected Governor of Texas in 1956, possibly stealing the election from Ralph Yarborough in the process. As Governor, many of his major proposals were passed into law. In 1961, the legislature passed a sales tax, which Daniel didn't sign but allowed to become law so the state wouldn't go broke. After the passage of the Sales tax, Daniel's popularity waned and he failed at his attempt to be elected to a fourth term in 1962.

He was appointed to head the Office of Emergency Preparedness by Lyndon B. Johnson. He was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court in 1971, he was re-elected twice in 1972 and 1979 and he retired during his second term. The Price Daniel, Sr. State Office Building was named in his honor.

Preceded by: Tom Connally	U.S. Senator (Rusk Succession) from Texas 1953—1957	Succeeded by: William A. Blakley
Preceded by: Allan Shivers	Governor of Texas 1957—1963	Succeeded by: John Connally