Paul G. Hatfield
Paul G. Hatfield | |
---|---|
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana | |
In office February 9, 1996 – July 3, 2000 | |
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana | |
In office 1990–1996 | |
Preceded by | James F. Battin |
Succeeded by | Jack D. Shanstrom |
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana | |
In office May 10, 1979 – February 9, 1996 | |
Appointed by | Jimmy Carter |
Preceded by | Russell Evans Smith |
Succeeded by | Donald W. Molloy |
United States Senator from Montana | |
In office January 22, 1978 – December 14, 1978 | |
Appointed by | Thomas Lee Judge |
Preceded by | Lee Metcalf |
Succeeded by | Max Baucus |
Personal details | |
Born | Paul Gerhart Hatfield April 29, 1928 Great Falls, Montana, U.S. |
Died | July 3, 2000 Great Falls, Montana, U.S. | (aged 72)
Political party | Democratic |
Education | University of Montana (LLB) |
Paul Gerhart Hatfield (April 29, 1928 – July 3, 2000) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist. He served briefly as
Early life and education
Born in
Career
Hatfield was admitted to the Montana bar that same year, commencing his practice in Great Falls.
United States Senate
On January 22, 1978, Montana Governor Thomas Lee Judge appointed Hatfield to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Lee Metcalf for the term ending January 3, 1979. He served from January 22, 1978, until his resignation December 14, 1978. He was defeated for nomination in the Democratic primary in June 1978 by Congressman Max Baucus with Baucus getting 87,085 votes (65.3%) to Hatfield's 25,789 (19.3%). There were two other minor candidates in the race. After that nominating defeat, Hatfield remained in the Senate until his own resignation when the election of his successor, Baucus, was officially certified after the general election in November 1978. Max Baucus praised his former primary opponent for being "one of the most decent and thoughtful people I've had the privilege of knowing."[3]
Federal judicial service
On March 15, 1979, Hatfield was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Montana vacated by Judge Russell Evans Smith. Hatfield was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 9, 1979, and received his commission the following day. He served as Chief Judge from 1990 to 1996, assuming senior status on February 9, 1996, and continuing to serve until the end of his life.[2] Hatfield was a resident of Great Falls from 1979 until his death on July 3, 2000.[4] He is buried in Riverside Memorial Park in Spokane, Washington.[5]
Death
Hatfield died in Great Falls, Montana in July 2000. The Paul G. Hatfield Courthouse in Helena, Montana is named in his honor.
References
- ^ Molloy, Donald W. "U.S. District Court, District of Montana Judge Paul G. Hatfield 'He Was the Same Person in Court, at Home or at the Racetrack'", Duke Law: Center for Judicial Studies, November 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ^ a b Paul Gerhart Hatfield at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (July 5, 2000). "Paul Hatfield, 72, Whose Vote On Panama Canal Was Decisive". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
- ^ "Archives West: Guide to the Paul G. Hatfield Papers, 1977-2000". nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu.
- ^ Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Hatfield". politicalgraveyard.com.
External links
- United States Congress. "Paul G. Hatfield (id: H000344)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Paul Gerhart Hatfield at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.