Later Political Life
Langer was elected governor again in 1936, and served one two-year term, from 1937 to 1939. In 1938 he ran for Senate as an independent, and received 42% of the vote; he was defeated by Republican Gerald P. Nye.
The 1940 election was another very dramatic one. Langer defeated incumbent Lynn Frazier in the Republican primary, and then faced both the Democratic candidate, Charles Vogel, and Republican/NPL Congressman William Lemke, who declined to run for reelection to Congress in order to run for Senate as an independent. Langer won the election with 38% of the vote.
Because of the trials mentioned above, Langer's qualifications were questioned under Article 1 Section 5 of the Constitution, which grants the U.S. Senate to be the ultimate judge of the elections, qualifications, and returns of its members. The Senate seated Langer conditionally and then began an investigation into his trials. The Committee on Privileges and Elections found Langer guilty of 'Moral Terpitude' and was judged unqualified to be a Senator. The full senate reversed the committee, and voted to seat Langer.
Senator Langer was an isolationist, wanting to minimize America’s involvement in World War II. At home, he concentrated on making life easier for the farmers of North Dakota by raising wheat prices and granting government relief, although amidst rumors of great scandal. He was also very adamant about implementing affordable healthcare for everyone. As a senator, he served on the Post Office, Civil Service and Indian Affairs committees. He and Henrik Shipstead of Minnesota were the only Senators to vote against the United Nations Charter in 1945.
In 1950, "Wild Bill" filibustered for 29 hours, and 53 minutes on September 22 to 23. The filibuster was for the veto of a Communist registration bill.
Following the merger of the Nonpartisan League with the state Democratic party, Langer remained on the Republican ticket in the 1958 senate elections, and won without making a single campaign appearance in the state. Langer died in Washington, DC on November 8, 1959.
Read more about this topic: William Langer
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