Ruby Laffoon, American lawyer and politician, 43rd Governor of Kentucky (d. 1941)

Ruby Laffoon: Kentucky Governor Amidst the Great Depression

Ruby Laffoon (January 15, 1869 – March 1, 1941) was a distinguished American attorney and politician who held the challenging position of the 43rd Governor of Kentucky from 1931 to 1935. A lifelong Kentuckian, Laffoon’s early exposure to politics began at the formative age of 17 when he relocated to Washington, D.C., to reside with his uncle, U.S. Representative Polk Laffoon. This invaluable experience offered him a firsthand look into the workings of the national political landscape, deeply cultivating his own interest in public service.

Upon his return to Kentucky, Laffoon embarked on a political career marked by a diverse record of electoral successes and setbacks at both county and state levels. This period of his career, while not uniformly victorious, honed his political acumen and established him as a persistent and experienced figure in Kentucky’s political arena.

Path to the Governorship: A Unique Nomination

In 1931, Ruby Laffoon secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination through a party nominating convention, a significant deviation from the increasingly common primary election system. This made him the singular Kentucky gubernatorial candidate after 1903 to be chosen by a convention rather than a direct primary vote. This method of selection, often indicative of party machine influence or a concerted effort to unify the party, propelled him into the general election.

His campaign proved remarkably successful. In the general election, Laffoon decisively defeated his Republican opponent, William B. Harrison, achieving what was then the largest margin of victory in Kentucky gubernatorial history. This substantial win demonstrated a strong mandate from the electorate, despite his unconventional path to nomination.

Navigating the Great Depression: The Contentious Sales Tax

Affectionately, or perhaps critically, dubbed "the terrible Turk from Madisonville"—a moniker suggesting his resolute and unyielding nature stemming from his hometown—Governor Laffoon’s tenure was immediately confronted by the profound economic hardships of the Great Depression. The statewide economic crisis led to dwindling state revenues, soaring unemployment, and an urgent need for increased public services.

To address the dire financial situation of the state treasury, Laffoon championed the controversial enactment of Kentucky’s first-ever statewide sales tax. This policy proposal became the defining and most divisive issue of his administration, creating deep fissures within the state Democratic Party and even fracturing his own cabinet. Opponents argued that a sales tax was a regressive measure, disproportionately burdening the state’s poorest citizens during an already devastating economic period.

The legislative battle over the sales tax was fierce and protracted. Lieutenant Governor A. B. "Happy" Chandler emerged as the primary leader of the opposition to the tax within the Kentucky General Assembly. Despite Laffoon’s persistent advocacy, the sales tax bill faced repeated defeats in two regular legislative sessions and one specially convened legislative session. Undeterred, Governor Laffoon demonstrated remarkable political tenacity by forging a crucial bipartisan alliance, ultimately succeeding in passing the sales tax during a special legislative session in 1934.

The Battle for Succession: Laffoon vs. Chandler

The profound political feud between Governor Laffoon and Lieutenant Governor Chandler escalated throughout their shared term and critically impacted the 1935 gubernatorial race. A key factor in this rivalry was the state’s constitutional provision at the time, which stipulated that the lieutenant governor was elected independently of the governor, granting Chandler his own political base and policy agenda.

As Laffoon was constitutionally term-limited from seeking re-election, he sought to hand-pick his successor. He strongly supported political boss Tom Rhea to take over the governorship and, in a strategic move to ensure Rhea’s nomination, convinced the Democrats to once again convene a nominating convention. This method would have significantly increased Laffoon’s control over the selection process and greatly improved Rhea’s chances of securing the nomination, effectively allowing Laffoon to extend his influence.

However, during a crucial period when Laffoon was on an official visit to Washington, D.C., Lieutenant Governor Chandler seized a rare constitutional opportunity. Under the provisions of the Kentucky Constitution, Chandler was left as acting governor. Leveraging this temporary authority, Chandler immediately issued a call for a special legislative session with the express purpose of considering a mandatory primary election bill—a direct challenge to Laffoon’s plans for a convention and a move towards greater democratic participation in candidate selection.

Upon learning of Chandler’s bold move, Governor Laffoon swiftly returned to Kentucky, attempting to invalidate the special session call. However, the Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld Chandler’s action as constitutional, cementing the legality of the special session. Consequently, the mandatory primary law was passed, fundamentally altering the gubernatorial nomination process. In the subsequent Democratic primary, Chandler successfully defeated Tom Rhea, effectively thwarting Laffoon’s succession plan, and went on to succeed Ruby Laffoon as governor.

Later Life and Lasting Legacy

Following the conclusion of his gubernatorial term, Ruby Laffoon returned to his hometown of Madisonville, Kentucky, where he passed away from a stroke on March 1, 1941.

Among his more unique and culturally significant gubernatorial legacies was his unprecedented appointment of a record number of Kentucky Colonels. This honorary title, bestowed upon individuals for notable service to the Commonwealth, gained widespread recognition, particularly through one famous recipient: Harland Sanders. Sanders would famously adopt and widely use the title "Colonel" as he launched and expanded his internationally renowned chain of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants, forever linking Laffoon’s administration to this iconic figure and brand.

Frequently Asked Questions About Governor Ruby Laffoon

When did Ruby Laffoon serve as Governor of Kentucky?

Ruby Laffoon served as the 43rd Governor of Kentucky from 1931 to 1935, a period critically defined by the challenges of the Great Depression.

How was Ruby Laffoon nominated for governor in 1931?

He was chosen as the Democratic gubernatorial nominee by a party nominating convention, making him the only Kentucky gubernatorial candidate to be selected by a convention after 1903, an era when primaries became the norm.

What was Governor Laffoon's major policy achievement and challenge?

His most significant policy initiative was the enactment of Kentucky's first sales tax, which he advocated to raise revenue for the state treasury during the Great Depression. This issue dominated his term and caused significant political division.

Who was A.B. "Happy" Chandler in relation to Governor Laffoon?

A.B. "Happy" Chandler was Laffoon's Lieutenant Governor and a formidable political adversary. He led the opposition against the sales tax and later, as acting governor, orchestrated the passage of a mandatory primary election law that thwarted Laffoon's plans for his successor.

What is one of Ruby Laffoon's notable, perhaps unexpected, legacies?

One of his legacies includes appointing a record number of Kentucky Colonels, an honorary title. Notably, he bestowed this honor upon Harland Sanders, who later became globally famous as "Colonel Sanders" of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).