John F. Nugent

Who was John F. Nugent?

John Frost Nugent was an attorney and Democratic politician from Idaho. He served three years in the United States Senate, from 1918 to 1921.

Nugent attended public schools, and worked in mines in Idaho and Australia. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1898, commencing practice in Silver City, Idaho. He was prosecuting attorney of Owyhee County from 1899 to 1906.

In January 1918, Governor Alexander appointed Nugent to the U.S. Senate to succeed Republican James H. Brady, who died in office. Nugent defeated former Governor Frank R. Gooding in a special election that November to finish the term. In the Senate, Nugent served as chairman of the Committee on Fisheries.

Nugent faced Gooding again in 1920 for a full six-year term, but this time Gooding was victorious. Nugent resigned in January, prior to the end of his term in March, to accept an appointment from President Wilson to the Federal Trade Commission, and was succeeded by Senator-elect Gooding.

Nugent ran a third time for Senate in 1926, but finished third behind Gooding and Progressive candidate H. F. Samuels.