William M. Rainach

William Monroe Rainach Sr. (July 31, 1913 – January 26, 1978) was an American businessman and politician who supported racial segregation. A Democrat, he was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and the State Senate.

Early life Rainach was born William Odom in Kentwood, Louisiana. He advocated disenfranchising African American voters. Days after the Supreme Court determined in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) that laws establishing racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, the Louisiana Joint Legislative Committee was formed to fight against the decision. Senator Rainach was its first chairman, serving for six years and being one of the leaders of its efforts. He was also the head of the Louisiana Association of White Citizens Councils.

He was a candidate for governor as a segregationist in 1959,

Rainach killed himself at the age of 64, shooting himself with a pistol at his farm on January 26, 1978.