John E. Rankin
John Elliot Rankin (March 29, 1882 - November 26, 1960) was a politician from the U.S. State of Mississippi.
Rankin was born near Bolanda in Itawamba County, Mississippi and he graduated from the University of Mississippi law school in 1910. Rankin served in the United States Army during World War I.
Rankin was elected to the House as a Democrat in 1920. As a Congressman, Rankin coauthored the bill to create the Tennessee Valley Authority and was a supporter of the Rural Electrification Administration. Rankin was also a prominent part of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Rankin is regarded as an economic liberal, a supporter of the New Deal and a racial demogogue who was a supporter of segregation and white supremacy. Rankin's anti-Semitism was apparent in his dealings with Jewish members of the House.
Rankin ran for the United States Senate on the death of Theodore G. Bilbo, finishing last among the five major candidates with over 24,000 votes and 13% of the vote.
Rankin was defeated for re-election in 1952 by Congressman Thomas G. Abernethy after their districts were joined together after Redistricting.