Clement Haynsworth, Jr
Clement Haynsworth, Jr. was a prominent American judge who served as the chief judge of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He gained national attention when President Richard Nixon nominated him for a vacancy on the Supreme Court in 1969 as part of Nixon's broader southern strategy to garner support for the Republican Party in southern states. Haynsworth's judicial record was characterized by his conservative stance on race and labor issues, which drew significant opposition from civil rights organizations like the NAACP and various labor unions. Controversies arose regarding alleged ethical violations, although investigations concluded that he had not acted improperly. Despite a narrow approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee, Haynsworth's nomination faced increasing scrutiny and ultimately led to his rejection by the full Senate. On November 21, 1969, he was defeated with a vote of fifty-five to forty-five. Following this setback, Haynsworth continued to serve on the Fourth Circuit until his passing. His nomination and subsequent rejection reflect the complex interplay of race, politics, and judicial appointments in the United States during that era.
Subject Terms
Clement Haynsworth, Jr.
Nominated by: Richard M. Nixon
Significance: Federal judge whose 1970 nomination to the Supreme Court was rejected by the Senate.
Haynsworth was chief judge of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals when President Richard M. Nixon announced that Haynsworth was his nominee for a vacancy on the Supreme Court. The Haynsworth nomination was part of Nixon’s southern strategy, an effort to build support for the Republican Party in the southern states.
The head of one of South Carolina’s leading law firms, Haynsworth had a conservative record on race and labor issues. His nomination was opposed by groups such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and labor unions. Opposition increased when allegations of ethical violations surfaced. Although it was determined that Haynsworth had not acted improperly, Democratic senator Birch Bayh dedicated himself to defeating the Haynsworth nomination.
Nixon perceived the criticism of Haynsworth as unfair and as an attack on his presidency. He told his staff that he was determined to have the Senate confirm his nominee. Nixon scored a victory when the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Haynsworth by a 10-7 vote. However, concerns over Haynsworth’s liabilities led to his defeat on November 21, 1969, when the full Senate rejected his nomination by a vote of fifty-five to forty-five. Haynsworth continued to serve on the Fourth Circuit bench until his death.