Bennett Johnston Jr.
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John Bennett Johnston, Jr. (born June 10, 1932) was a U.S. Democratic political figure. He was a U.S. Senator from Louisiana from 1972 until 1997.
Johnston, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, attended the United States Military Academy. Johnston was elected to the Louisiana State House of Represenatives in 1963 and to the Louisiana Senate in 1967. Johnston ran for Governor of Louisiana in 1971, losing to Edwin Edwards in the Democratic party runoff election.
Johnston was the only major opponent of Allen J. Ellender for Ellender's Senate seat in 1972. When Ellender died after the filling deadline and before the election, Johnston won the election easily, defeating his Republican opponent Ben Toledano and former Governor John J. McKeithen. In 1978, Johnston defeated Woody Jenkins by a 59%-41% margin. His closest re-election race was against David Duke in 1990. Johnston defeated Duke in the primary by a 53%-44% margin. Johnston retired after his fourth term ended in 1997.