In 1970, Harry F. Byrd, Jr. refused the support of both major political parties and won the U.S. Senate seat in Virginia as an Independent candidate.
and critics on Defying the Odds :In 1970, after refusing to sign a Democratic Party loyalty oath to support whomever the party nominated for president in 1972 and rejecting Richard Nixon’s offer to assure him the Republican senate nomination, Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr. found himself without the support of a national political party. Campaigning against both a Republican and a Democratic nominee, he nevertheless received more votes than the two major party candidates combined. This is the fascinating story of that groundbreaking win, written by the only legislator to be twice elected to the Senate as an independent candidate.
"The campaign of 1970 in Virginia, when Democratic Sen. Harry Byrd Jr. ran for re-election as an Independent, marked an historic turning point in Southern politics. Here he tells the story of that campaign as only he could tell it." —James J. Kilpatrick
"As an old political reporter, I almost resent Harry Byrd Jr.’s marvelous account of an adventure in Virginia politics in 1970. His prose is sharp, sensitive, insightful, and relaxed. He is fair-minded and good-spirited and not even long-winded. He teaches us a lot about how politics really works and, indeed, how it actually can be great fun to read about." —Charles McDowell, Virginia Journalist
"In an era of daily partisan political attacks in Washington and increased disinterest in voting and political involvement by large numbers of citizens, Harry Byrd’s timely book should make us all begin to ask some long overdue questions about our two-party system. Why did a well-entrenched, well-respected United States senator who had been elected to public office seven times as a Democrat seek re-election as an Independent? Why did he reject President Nixon’s offer to assure him the Republican nomination?
"Harry Byrd—a man of great courage and integrity—made it respectable for a majority of Virginians to vote for the person and his principles rather than the party. The result: he made "Independent" a legitimate status in Virginia. Should we view the 1970 and 1976 Senate races as ancient history, or as a warning to the leaders of both major parties that unless the parties change the current directions, Harry Byrd’s independent example may loom large in America’s future?
"Those who find politics exciting will find this well-written book interesting. Those who are turned off by ‘politics as usual’ will find it inspiring." —Sam Nunn, U.S. Senator, 1972-1997
"Harry Byrd, a Virginia gentleman and distinguished statesman, writes a compelling account of his journey as a Democrat from the South to an Independent in his race for re-election to the United States Senate. Embarking upon an uncharted course in troubled political waters, Byrd’s bold decision translates into a resounding victory on election day." —Russell B. Long, U.S. Senator, 1949-1985
