Regular Democratic Organization - Feud With Huey Long

Feud With Huey Long

The RDO was involved in a costly feud with Louisiana politician Huey Long during the Walmsley period. Despite attempts at an alliance between the RDO and Long's statewide machine, the RDO ultimately lent strong support to the effort to impeach Long in 1929. The sides reconciled afterwards, leading to a period of productive cooperation between the camps until the alliance broke down in 1934. Heavy feuding resumed, which nearly reached armed confrontation. Long, with his statewide influence, managed to strip the RDO administration of New Orleans of most of its governing powers, eventually crippling the city. Walmsley rebuffed the RDO's request to step down to end the conflict, and the RDO (which also controlled the city council) abandoned him in return. Walmsley eventually resigned, leaving the RDO administration in turmoil.

After Long died in 1935, his allies in state government continued the siege on the RDO, which was opposed to Long's candidate for mayor, Robert Maestri. Long's machine struck a deal which led to Maestri becoming both mayor and head of the RDO. With the power of both Long's machine and the RDO at his behest, Maestri's government became increasingly corrupt.