Philip A. Traynor

Philip Andrew Traynor (May 31, 1874 – December 5, 1962) was an American dentist and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party and served two terms as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family Traynor was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He attended the public schools, Goldey Business College, in Wilmington, and the University of Delaware at Newark. He graduated in 1895 from the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, and began the practice of dentistry in Wilmington.

Professional and political career Traynor was a member of the Delaware board of dentistry from 1918 until 1943, serving as its chairman after 1922. He was also vice president and member of the board of trustees of Ferris Industrial School for Boys from 1938 until 1942. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1940, defeating incumbent Republican U.S. Representative George S. Williams. He lost his bid for a second term in 1942 to Republican, Earle D. Willey, but in a 1944 rematch defeated Willey, and returned to the U.S. House. Finally, he lost his bid for a third term to Republican J. Caleb Boggs, a New Castle County lawyer, and war veteran. Traynor served in the Democratic majority in the 77th and 79th Congress. He was in office from January 3, 1941, until January 3, 1943, and again from January 3, 1945, until January 3, 1947, during the administrations of U.S. presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

Death and legacy Traynor died at Wilmington, and is buried in the Cathedral Cemetery there.

Almanac Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives take office January 3 and have a two-year term.

+ Public Offices Office Type Location Began office Ended office notes U.S. RepresentativeLegislature WashingtonJanuary 3, 1941 January 3, 1943U.S. RepresentativeLegislature WashingtonJanuary 3, 1945 January 3, 1947

+ United States Congressional service Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District1941–194377thU.S. HouseDemocraticFranklin D. Rooseveltat-large1945–194779thU.S. HouseDemocraticHarry S. Trumanat-large

+ Election results Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %1940U.S. RepresentativePhilip A. TraynorDemocratic68,20551%George S. WilliamsRepublican64,38448%1942U.S. RepresentativePhilip A. TraynorDemocratic38,79146%Earle D. WilleyRepublican45,37654%1944U.S. RepresentativePhilip A. TraynorDemocratic63,64950%Earle D. WilleyRepublican62,37849%1946U.S. RepresentativePhilip A. TraynorDemocratic49,10544%J. Caleb BoggsRepublican63,51656%