Gene Lusk Explained

Gene Lusk
Office:Member of the New Mexico Senate
Term Start:1953
Term End:1961
Birth Date:4 June 1920
Birth Place:Lovington, New Mexico, U.S.
Death Place:Carlsbad, New Mexico, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Children:3
Alma Mater:University of Michigan
Parents:Georgia Lee Lusk (mother)
Serviceyears:1942–1946

Thomas Eugene Lusk (June 4, 1920  - February 14, 1969) was an American politician from the state of New Mexico.

Early life and education

Lusk was born in 1920 on a ranch near Lovington, New Mexico, to Dolph and Georgia Lee Lusk, who served one term as U.S. Representative. He graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1937 and the University of Michigan in 1948.

Career

Lusk began practicing law in 1949. Lusk also served in the United States Army from 1942 and 1946.

In 1952, Lusk was elected to the New Mexico Senate, serving as majority leader from 1957 until 1959. In 1960, he ran for the United States House of Representatives, but lost in the Democratic primary to Joseph Montoya. He ran for Governor of New Mexico in 1966 and defeated John Burroughs in the primary, but narrowly lost the general election to David Cargo.[1] [2] [3] He served as a delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

Personal life

Lusk married Phyllis Raymond in 1943. They had three children: Ann, Allison, and Bill.

Lusk died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on February 14, 1969, while visiting his wife in the hospital.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NM Governor D Primary 1966. Our Campaigns. December 20, 2016.
  2. Web site: NM Governor 1966. Our Campaigns. December 20, 2016.
  3. Book: David Francis Cargo. Dennis Domrzalski. Lonesome Dave: The Story of New Mexico Governor David Francis Cargo. 2010. Sunstone Press. 978-0-86534-753-3. 127–.
  4. CARLSBAD CURRENT-ARGUS, Carlsbad, Eddy County, New Mexico, dated for Sunday, February 16, 1969, front page, reads as follows: LUSK FUNERAL SET MONDAY.