he served in the senate from march 4, 1931, to his death on june 12, 1946. he was first elected to the senate in 1930 by defeating j. thomas heflin, the man who succeeded his father. though bankhead won the election by 20 points, heflin challenged the results for over a year. he served as chairman of the committee on irrigation and reclamation. after his death, bankhead was succeeded by george r. swift, who was appointed to fill his seat until a successor, john j. sparkman, could be elected. bankhead is remembered as a spokesman for farmers and against civil rights for african americans.