James F. Hughes

James Frederic Hughes (August 7, 1883 – August 9, 1940) was an American salesman and Democratic politician from De Pere, Wisconsin. He served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin's 8th congressional district during the 73rd Congress (1933–1935). He retired after one term due to chronic illness.

Early life and career James Hughes was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in August 1883. He was raised and educated in Green Bay, graduating from Green Bay West High School (then McCartney School) in 1901. He went to work for his father, who was a foundry and machine shop superintendent. After many years working with his father, in 1915 he was hired as a traveling salesman for a Detroit manufacturer of foundry supplies. This was his primary employment for much of the rest of his life. Despite the convention's endorsement, Hughes still faced a primary election against state representative Jacob J. Blahnik and a third candidate, William Wright. Hughes won the primary and went on to face Republican incumbent George J. Schneider in the general election. Schneider had faced no opponent in 1930 and won his 1928 election with 60% of the vote. Hughes campaigned vigorously around the district in 1932, running on Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal proposals. In November, Hughes narrowly defeated Schneider, receiving 50.7% of the vote.

Hughes served in the 73rd Congress (March 4, 1933January 3, 1935), during which he supported much of Roosevelt's agenda. He also obtained a $650,000 appropriation for a new federal building in Green Bay. In June 1934, Hughes again received the unanimous support of the 8th district Democratic convention, but Hughes surprised his constituents by declining to run for re-election. Separately, there was a hope among stalwart Republicans that Hughes would run for U.S. Senate against Progressive Party incumbent Robert M. La Follette Jr., and split the pro-Roosevelt vote, but Hughes also declined to run for Senate. Hughes explained that he suffered from a chronic illness and his physician had advised him to drop out of electoral politics for the good of his health.

Later years Shortly after leaving office, Hughes was hospitalized and submitted to the amputation of his leg due to disease. He recovered from his surgery and was able to resume some of his civic duties through the late 1930s.

Hughes became severely ill again in 1940, and was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in June of that year. After two months, he submitted to the amputation of his other leg, but his condition continued to decline. He died at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester on August 9, 1940. He was buried at Cady Cemetery, in the town of Lawrence, just outside of

Personal life and family James F. Hughes was the third of six children born to James V. Hughes and his wife Emma ( Leicht). Both of Hughes parents died during the year of his campaign for Congress, 1932. The Hughes family were Catholics.

James F. Hughes married Emma Louise Adams of De Pere in 1913. They had one child.

Aside from his political and civic interests, James F. Hughes was described as an ardent student of history.

Electoral history U.S. House (1932)