Alvin Olin King 1932

Born: June 21, 1890 in Leoti, Kansas
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Religious Affiliation: Methodist
Education: Lake Charles H.S., Parsons Business College, Tulane Law School
Career Prior to Term: Lake Charles City Attorney, State Senator and Lt. Governor
How He Became Governor: Succeeded to both Lt. Governor and Governor during his term as President Pro Tempore of the Louisiana Senate; became Governor when Huey P. Long resigned to take U.S. Senate seat
Career after Term: Continued practicing law; served as President of the Louisiana Bar Association
Died: January 21, 1958 in Lake Charles, Louisiana

Alvin O. King became Governor as a result of a political controversy between Huey Long and Dr. Paul Cyr. After Long was elected to the U. S. Senate, Cyr, the Lt. Governor, declared Long's office vacant and proclaimed himself Governor. Long successfully argued that Cyr's actions were illegal and that King as President Pro-Tempore of the State Senate should become Lt. Governor. After Long's slate of candidates won election in January, 1932, Huey took his U. S. Senate seat and King became Governor.

During his five months in office, King called for reduced spending on highways because the state could not sell highway bonds at an acceptable interest rate because of the failing national bond market. Long, however, was the true power and King simply handled routine matters until the Kingfish's candidate, 0. K. Allen could take office.

King provided a short period of stability during years of political turmoil. He returned to his law practice in Lake Charles where he died in 1958.

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