(James) Strom Thurmond

Thurmond, (James) Strom (1902– ), U.S. political leader, senator from South Carolina since 1954. A hardline supporter of States Rights, he opposed federal civil rights legislation and federal welfare. He served as South Carolina's governor (1947–51) and was the 1948 States' Rights Democratic presidential candidate, carrying four states. During his Senate career he shifted to the Republican party. He served as chairman of the Senate's Judiciary Committee (1981–87).