Former Senator James L. Buckley, a prominent figure in New York politics, has died at the age of 100 in Washington, D.C., as confirmed by his nephew, Christopher Buckley.
Buckley’s political career saw him emerge victorious in a three-way race for one of New York’s Senate seats in 1970. Representing the Conservative Party, he competed against Republican Senator Charles Goodell and Democratic Representative Richard Ottinger.
Former New York Conservative Party Senator James L. Buckley Passes Away at 100
Serving in the Senate from 1971 to 1977, Buckley was a vocal critic of President Richard Nixon’s efforts to normalize relations with communist China. Following the Watergate scandal, he publicly called for Nixon’s resignation from office.
In 1976, Buckley faced a defeat in the New York senatorial election against Democratic candidate Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Moynihan subsequently held the seat until 2001.
Notably, Buckley’s tenure in the Senate marked the sole instance of a Conservative Party candidate holding a statewide public office in New York.
Born into the prominent Buckley family, which included oil tycoon William F. Buckley Sr. and conservative writer William F. Buckley Jr., James L. Buckley’s political legacy was intertwined with his family’s influence.
Buckley made a later attempt to secure a Senate seat in Connecticut in 1980 but lost to Democrat Chris Dodd.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed Buckley to the position of Under Secretary of State for Security Affairs.
Former New York Conservative Party Senator James L. Buckley Passes Away at 100
In 1985, Buckley received a nomination and confirmation to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Former New York Conservative Party Senator James L. Buckley Passes Away at 100
James L. Buckley was survived by six children, following the passing of his wife, Ann Frances Cooley, in 2011.