John M. Slack Jr.

John Mark Slack Jr. (March 18, 1915 – March 17, 1980) was an American politician from West Virginia. He was a Democrat.

John M. Slack Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1963 – March 17, 1980
Preceded by	Cleveland M. Bailey
Succeeded by	John G. Hutchinson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 6th district
In office January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1963
Preceded by	Robert C. Byrd
Succeeded by	District eliminated
Personal details
Born	(1915-03-18)March 18, 1915 Charleston, West Virginia
Died	March 17, 1980(1980-03-17) (aged 64) Alexandria, Virginia
Political party	Democratic

Slack was born in Charleston, where he attended the public schools. He later studied at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia.

Slack's public service career began in 1948, when he became a member of Kanawha County Court, where he sat until 1952. He subsequently served as Kanawha County Assessor from 1952 to 1958.

When three-term 6th district Representative Robert Byrd decided against seeking re-election in order to run for the U.S. Senate, Slack won the Democratic nomination and was easily elected that November. He went on to be re-elected 11 times, never facing serious opposition. His district was renumbered as the 3rd District in 1963, after West Virginia lost a district as a result of the 1960 Census. Slack voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1960,[1] 1964,[2] and 1968,[3] and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.[4]

Slack served until his death of a heart attack in Alexandria, Virginia on March 17, 1980.[5] He was replaced by John G. Hutchinson, then mayor of Charleston, after a special election, who served until the end of the term. He was interred in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, West Virginia.