Blundell, James H., Jr., 1912-1981

Born in Smithville, Texas, James H. Blundell, Jr. attended Baylor University and began his political career shortly thereafter on the 1932 gubernatorial campaign of James V. Allred. Blundell went on to work for the campaigns of many more Texas democrats, including Ernest O. Thompson, Bascom Giles, Governor Price Daniel, Lyndon B. Johnson, and John B. Connally. In 1940, he was called to manage Johnson’s Congressional office while the Texas Representative served two years in the navy. Blundell helped reorganize the Texas Young Democrats in 1946 and served as chair of the Texas State Democratic Convention from 1956 to 1958. Additionally, he worked for several state and federal offices, including the General Land Office, Office of Price Administration, and the Executive Office of the President in Texas. After joining Johnson’s presidential campaign in 1960, Blundell became an aid to John F. Kennedy when Johnson became Kennedy’s running mate. Blundell served as deputy assistant to the postmaster general from 1961 to 1962. He then started his own public relations firm in Washington, DC, which he operated until his death in 1981 at the age of 68.

Sources:

“James H. Blundell, aid to LBJ, dies,” The Dallas Morning News, March 10, 1981

“Jim Blundell: A Party Chief Unveiled,” The Dallas Morning News, September, 23, 1956

From the guide to the Blundell, James H. Jr. papers 74-15., 1935-1940, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

Born in Smithville, Texas, James H. Blundell, Jr. attended Baylor University and began his political career shortly thereafter on the 1932 gubernatorial campaign of James V. Allred.

Blundell went on to work for the campaigns of many more Texas democrats, including Ernest O. Thompson, Bascom Giles, Governor Price Daniel, Lyndon B. Johnson, and John B. Connally. In 1940, he was called to manage Johnson;s Congressional office while the Texas Representative served two years in the navy. Blundell helped reorganize the Texas Young Democrats in 1946 and served as chair of the Texas State Democratic Convention from 1956 to 1958. Additionally, he worked for several state and federal offices, including the General Land Office, Office of Price Administration, and the Executive Office of the President in Texas. After joining Johnson;s presidential campaign in 1960, Blundell became an aid to John F. Kennedy when Johnson became Kennedy's running mate. Blundell served as deputy assistant to the postmaster general from 1961 to 1962. He then started his own public relations firm in Washington, DC, which he operated until his death in 1981 at the age of 68.

From the description of Blundell, James H., Jr., papers, 1935-1940 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 701949809