Robert Stanton (Indiana politician)

Robert L. Stanton (born 1902) was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives, elected in 1932 and 1934 from Lake County, Indiana. A dentist from East Chicago, he was the first African American to be elected to the Indiana legislature on the Democratic ticket.[1]

Stanton was born on April 15, 1902 in Newport, Arkansas.[2] He graduated from Newport High School, and subsequently attended Shorter College from 1917 to 1919 and Wilberforce University from 1920 to 1922.[2] He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Meharry Medical College in 1925, where he also received his D.D.S. in 1929.[2]

Upon graduating, Stanton moved to East Chicago and began practicing dentistry.[2] He also joined the Better Government Democratic Political Club, where he was a member from approximately 1929 to 1932.[2] His historic election as an African-American Democrat in 1932 was the product of many years of organizing by the local community.[1] The 1932 election represented a historic breakthrough, because after shutting African Americans out of state politics entirely for many years, both parties had slated an African American candidate for the Lake County seat.[1]

Stanton served two terms in the Indiana House, winning election in 1932 and 1934.[2] Upon leaving the legislature, he moved to Indianapolis in 1937, and to Fort Wayne in 1941.[2] In addition to his dental practice, he served in the Resettlement Administration office at Indianapolis from 1937 to 1938.[2]

After more than 50 years in the profession, Stanton retired as a dentist in 1983.[2] He was a member of the African Methodist Episcopal church, Alpha Phi Alpha, and the National Dental Association.[2]