James Buckley was a U.S. senator from New York who served in the 1970s and later became a federal judge.
- Died: August 18, 2023 (Who else died on August 18?)
- Details of death: Died at a hospital in Washington, D.C., at the age of 100.
- We invite you to share condolences for James Buckley in our Guest Book.
James Buckley’s legacy
Buckley’s political career didn’t start until later in life. First, he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, and upon returning home, he studied law at Yale and practiced for several years. He then entered the business world as vice president at the Catawba Corporation.
Buckley was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1970, running under the Conservative Party of New York State but frequently aligning with the Republican Party once in office. He was an early conservative voice in favor of President Richard M. Nixon’s resignation during the Watergate scandal.
Among the most important pieces of Buckley’s congressional legacy was the 1976 Buckley v. Valeo case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. As a third-party candidate, Buckley brought the suit because of his frustration that unfettered spending by candidates in the two major parties made it impossible for any other candidates to compete. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that limits on campaign spending were unconstitutional, opening the door to political campaigns that have become increasingly expensive and setting the stage for such decisions as Citizens United.
When Buckley ran for a second term in 1976, he was defeated by Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynahan (1937–2003). After several years back in the business world, he was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by President Ronald Reagan (1911–2004). In 1996, he became a Senior Judge. Before his death at 100, he was the oldest living former senator.
Tributes to James Buckley
Full obituary: The Washington Post
