Kenneth V. Buzbee (born November 30, 1937) is an American politician and businessman. Buzbee served as a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate from 1973 to 1985.
Born in Anna, Illinois, Buzbee received his bachelor's degree in communication and his master's degree in political science from Southern Illinois University. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned a lieutenant colonel. He worked for the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges and for the Illinois Secretary of State. Buzbee served in the Illinois Senate from 1973 to 1985. While in the Senate, Buzbee was a member of the Democratic Study Group, a group of between eight and eleven independent Democrats dubbed the "Crazy 8" by political observers.[1] With the Crazy 8, he was able to leverage himself a position as the chairman of the Appropriations II committee.[2] In 1984, Buzbee lost the Democratic primary for the United States House of Representatives to Kenneth J. Gray[3][4] After his time in the Senate, he would lobbyist representing the City of Chicago during Harold Washington's mayoralty.[5]
In 1992, Buzbee ran for Illinois Senate in the 58th district against Republican incumbent Ralph A. Dunn. Despite the apparent Democratic lean of the district, Dunn defeated Buzbee's comeback effort.[5] Upon taking office as Illinois Secretary of State in 1999, Jesse White hired Buzbee to serve as the Director of Business Services.[6]
Notes edit
- ^ Heinecke, Burnell. "New force in Senate: They call themselves The Crazy 8". Illinois Issues. 2 (1). Sangamon State University: 21–23. ISSN 0738-9663. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ "Legislative Action: Democrats compromise in Senate". Illinois Issues. 3 (4). Sangamon State University: 26. 1977. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1983-1984,' Biographical Sketch of Kenneth V. Buzbee, pg. 117
- ^ Southern Illinois University Special Collections Research Center-Kenneth V. Buzbee
- ^ a b Steinbacher-Kemp, Bill. "Republicans push for majority in Senate, House". Illinois Issues. 28 (10). Sangamon State University: 31. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ White, Jesse (ed.). Illinois Blue Book 1999-2000. p. 306. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
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