"W" is for Watson, Albert William [1922-1994]

"W" is for Watson, Albert William [1922-1994]. Legislator. Congressman. After service in World War II, Watson earned his law degree from USC and established a practice in Columbia. He served several terms in the South Carolina House of Representatives. In 1962 he was elected to Congress from the Second District as a Democrat and was reelected in 1964. In 1965, stripped of his seniority for supporting Republican Barry Goldwater for President, Watson resigned his seat and was reelected as a Republican in 1966 and 1968. In 1970, he ran for governor against John West. Watson was an opponent of desegregation and made several incendiary speeches—including one in Darlington County--which many believe triggered a riot in Lamar. And, he lost the election. Albert William Watson later served as a federal administrative law judge.