Long family
An American political family whose members have held prominent public offices in Louisiana and the United States.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Long family is an American political family associated chiefly with Louisiana Democratic politics. Its modern political prominence grew around Huey Long, who served as Louisiana governor from 1928 to 1932 and as a United States senator from 1932 until his assassination in 1935. Huey Long built a powerful political organization and became one of the most consequential and controversial figures in Louisiana history. His administration expanded public infrastructure and state services while also attracting criticism for its concentration of political power and highly personal governing style. After Huey Long's death, several relatives continued to hold office. His widow, Rose McConnell Long, was appointed to fill his vacant Senate seat and served in 1936–1937. His brother Earl Long became lieutenant governor and later served three nonconsecutive terms as governor of Louisiana. Earl's career extended the family's influence while developing a political identity distinct from Huey's. Another brother, George S. Long, represented Louisiana in the U.S. House, while Julius Long served as a district attorney in Winn Parish. Huey Long's son Russell B. Long became the family's most nationally influential later figure. He represented Louisiana in the U.S. Senate from 1948 to 1987 and chaired the Senate Finance Committee. In that role he influenced federal tax policy, including legislation associated with the Earned Income Credit. Although he supported relatively low business taxes, his legislative work also included measures intended to benefit lower-income Americans. The wider family network included cousins, in-laws, and descendants who served in Congress, the Louisiana legislature, statewide offices, local government, and the Louisiana Public Service Commission. These figures included Gillis William Long, Speedy O. Long, Catherine Small Long, John S. Hunt II, Jimmy D. Long, Gerald Long, and others. The family's political reach was therefore not limited to a single office or generation, although its members differed in ideology, geography, and political prominence. Gerald Long was notable as the first office-holder among the traditionally Democratic Long political dynasty to register as a Republican. The Long family is best understood as a political dynasty rather than a commercial brand. Its historical significance rests on the continuity of public service, the transmission of political networks across generations, and the lasting influence of Huey and Russell Long on Louisiana and national politics. The family has no single corporate owner, product portfolio, or commercial operating structure.
History
The Long family's political history is rooted in Louisiana's early twentieth-century political transformation. Huey Long emerged as the central figure of the family, winning the governorship in 1928 after campaigning on promises of expanded public works, improved roads and bridges, and broader access to education and public services. His organization became highly effective at controlling state politics, and his style of governance generated both strong popular loyalty and accusations of authoritarianism. He moved to the U.S. Senate in 1932 while retaining substantial influence over Louisiana affairs. Huey Long was assassinated in 1935. His death did not end the family's political influence. Rose McConnell Long, his widow, was appointed to his Senate seat and served briefly. His brother Earl Long entered the statewide succession, serving as lieutenant governor before becoming governor. Earl's gubernatorial terms in 1939–1940, 1948–1952, and 1956–1960 made him one of Louisiana's most durable political figures. His career demonstrated that the family's influence could survive beyond Huey's personal organization, even as Earl pursued his own alliances and governing style. Other relatives entered public life at state and federal levels. George S. Long represented Louisiana in Congress, and Julius Long served locally as a district attorney. Huey's son Russell B. Long established the family's most sustained national presence. Elected to the Senate in 1948, he remained there until 1987 and became chair of the Senate Finance Committee. His influence was particularly significant in tax legislation. He supported a business-friendly tax environment while also helping advance provisions associated with the Earned Income Credit and other measures benefiting lower-income taxpayers. The extended family included several cousins and relatives by marriage. Gillis William Long and Speedy O. Long represented Louisiana in Congress; Catherine Small Long succeeded her late husband, Gillis, in the House. John S. Hunt II served on the Louisiana Public Service Commission. At the state and local levels, Jimmy D. Long served for more than three decades in the Louisiana House, while Gerald Long later served in the Louisiana Senate. Bill Long sought the lieutenant governorship, and other relatives held municipal and legislative posts. The dynasty was not politically uniform. Most of its best-known officeholders were Democrats, reflecting the family's historical base in Louisiana's Democratic machine politics. Gerald Long's Republican registration marked a notable departure from that tradition. Across generations, however, the family remained associated with Louisiana public office, electoral networks, and the continuing influence of the Long name. Its legacy combines populist reform, powerful political organization, federal legislative influence, and controversy over concentrated political authority.
- 2008
Gerald Long enters the Louisiana Senate
[1]Gerald Long began a state Senate career that continued through 2020 and represented a later generation of the family.
- 1987
Russell B. Long leaves the Senate
[1]Russell B. Long's nearly four-decade Senate career ended in 1987.
- 1956
Earl Long begins his third gubernatorial term
[1]Earl Long returned to the Louisiana governorship for a final term.
- 1953
George S. Long enters Congress
[1]George S. Long represented Louisiana in the U.S. House from 1953 until 1958.
- 1948
Russell B. Long enters the U.S. Senate
[1]Huey Long's son began a Senate career that lasted until 1987; Earl Long also began his second gubernatorial term.
- 1939
Earl Long begins his first governorship
[1]Earl Long served his first term as governor of Louisiana from 1939 to 1940.
- 1936
Rose McConnell Long enters the Senate
[1]Huey Long's widow was appointed to replace him in the Senate and served until 1937.
- 1935
Huey Long is assassinated
[1]Huey Long's assassination prompted the succession of relatives into prominent public offices.
- 1932
Huey Long enters the U.S. Senate
[1]Huey Long became a United States senator while continuing to influence Louisiana politics.
- 1928
Huey Long becomes governor of Louisiana
[1]Huey Long won the Louisiana governorship and began the period in which the Long name became central to state politics.
Products and positioning
A Louisiana-centered American political dynasty defined by public office, electoral organization, and intergenerational political influence.
Sources1 sources
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