John B. Connally

John B. Connally Jr.
Born	John Bowden Connally Jr. 27 2, 1917
Birthplace	Floresville, Texas, U.S.
Died	Template:Death date and age Houston, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney, government official
Known for	Governor of Texas (1963–1969), wounded during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
Education	University of Texas at Austin (LL.B.)
Spouse(s)	Idanell "Nellie" Brill (m. 1940)
Children	4
Awards	Bronze Star, Legion of Merit

John Bowden Connally Jr. (February 27, 1917 – June 15, 1993) was an American politician and attorney who served as the 39th Governor of Texas from 1963 to 1969 and as United States Secretary of the Treasury under President Richard Nixon from 1971 to 1972. A towering figure in twentieth-century Texas politics, Connally occupied a singular place in American public life — shaped in part by his presence in the presidential motorcade in Dallas on November 22, 1963, when he was gravely wounded during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Originally a Democrat closely allied with Lyndon B. Johnson, Connally later switched to the Republican Party and sought the 1980 Republican presidential nomination, though his campaign was unsuccessful. Throughout his career, Connally was known as a commanding political operator who sought to modernize Texas and reshape its image beyond the state's mythic cowboy past. His later years were marked by financial difficulties, including a high-profile bankruptcy, but his political legacy endured in the state he had served for decades. A high school in Austin, Texas — John B. Connally High School — bears his name, a testament to his lasting association with the state's political history.

Early Life

John Bowden Connally Jr. was born on February 27, 1917, in Floresville, Texas, a small town southeast of San Antonio. He was one of seven children in a family of modest means. His father, John Bowden Connally Sr., was a farmer and butcher, and the family experienced the economic hardships common to rural Texas during the early twentieth century. Growing up in Wilson County, Connally developed an understanding of the agrarian roots and cultural identity of Texas that would later inform his political career.

Connally's early life in south-central Texas placed him in close proximity to the political culture of the state, and he developed an interest in public affairs and leadership from a young age. The family's circumstances meant that Connally had to work hard to pursue his education, but he proved to be an ambitious and capable young man. His upbringing in rural Texas gave him an appreciation for the state's traditions, though he would later become known for challenging the notion that Texas should remain defined solely by its mythic frontier past.

Education

Connally attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a law degree (LL.B.). During his time at the university, he became involved in student politics and developed relationships that would prove instrumental throughout his career. It was at the University of Texas that Connally first crossed paths with Lyndon B. Johnson, beginning a political alliance and personal friendship that would shape the trajectories of both men for decades. Connally's legal training prepared him for a career that would span law, business, and government service at the highest levels.

Career

Early Political Career and Military Service

After completing his education, Connally entered both legal practice and political life. He became closely associated with Lyndon B. Johnson, serving as an aide and advisor during Johnson's early political career. This relationship placed Connally at the center of Texas Democratic politics and gave him access to the corridors of national power.

During World War II, Connally served in the United States Navy, earning the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit for his service. His military record burnished his credentials as a public servant and contributed to his reputation as a man of action and leadership. After the war, Connally returned to Texas and resumed his career in law and politics, continuing to work within the orbit of Lyndon Johnson's expanding political influence.

Connally served as Secretary of the Navy under President Kennedy from 1961 to 1962, a position that reflected both his military background and his standing within the Democratic Party. His appointment was widely understood to be connected to the Johnson-Kennedy political alliance, as Connally was one of Johnson's most trusted associates in Texas.

The Assassination of President Kennedy

The event that most indelibly marked Connally's life and public identity occurred on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Connally, who had recently been inaugurated as Governor of Texas, was riding in the presidential motorcade with President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and Connally's wife, Nellie. As the motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza, shots were fired. President Kennedy was mortally wounded and died shortly afterward at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Connally was also struck by gunfire and suffered serious injuries, including wounds to his back, chest, wrist, and thigh.

The Warren Commission, established to investigate the assassination, concluded that a single assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, had fired the shots from the Texas School Book Depository overlooking the motorcade route. The commission's controversial "single-bullet theory" held that one bullet had passed through President Kennedy and then struck Governor Connally, causing his multiple wounds. Connally himself publicly expressed doubt about this conclusion, stating that he believed he and the President were struck by separate bullets. This disagreement contributed to decades of public debate and conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination.

The State of Texas also conducted its own rigorous investigations into the assassination and the wounding of the governor. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has documented the state's response to the tragedy, noting that the investigations that followed provided a detailed look at how state authorities grappled with the national crisis.

Connally's recovery from his wounds was prolonged but ultimately successful. The experience left him with lasting physical scars and cemented his place in one of the most analyzed and debated events in American history.

Governor of Texas (1963–1969)

Connally served three terms as Governor of Texas, from January 1963 to January 1969. His tenure was marked by an ambitious agenda focused on modernizing the state's economy, education system, and public infrastructure. Connally recognized that Texas's identity was deeply rooted in its frontier mythology — the cowboy, the oilman, the rancher — but he believed this self-image was insufficient for a state that needed to compete in a rapidly changing national and global economy.

As Texas Monthly observed, Connally understood that "the Texas stereotype wasn't good enough" and that the state's "obsession with its mythic past" was an impediment to progress. He pushed for increased funding for higher education, worked to attract new industries to Texas, and promoted tourism and the arts as means of diversifying the state's economy and cultural profile. His governorship is often credited with helping to lay the groundwork for the economic transformation that would make Texas one of the most dynamic states in the nation in subsequent decades.

Connally's political style was commanding and assertive. He was known for his physical presence — tall, silver-haired, and impeccably dressed — and for his ability to dominate a room. His relationship with President Lyndon B. Johnson, who had ascended to the presidency after Kennedy's assassination, gave Connally significant influence in both state and national politics during this period. Johnson publicly celebrated Connally, as evidenced by remarks the president made at a birthday dinner in Austin honoring the governor.

Despite his accomplishments, Connally's governorship was not without controversy. His tenure coincided with the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, both of which created deep divisions within the Democratic Party and the nation. Connally was generally considered a conservative Democrat, and his positions on social issues sometimes placed him at odds with the more liberal wing of his party.

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury

After leaving the governor's office, Connally was appointed United States Secretary of the Treasury by President Richard Nixon in 1971, serving until 1972. His appointment was notable because Connally was still nominally a Democrat at the time, and his selection reflected Nixon's desire to build a bipartisan coalition and to benefit from Connally's considerable political skills and economic acumen.

As Treasury Secretary, Connally played a central role in the Nixon administration's economic policy, including the implementation of wage and price controls and the decision to suspend the convertibility of the U.S. dollar to gold — a watershed moment in international monetary policy often referred to as the "Nixon Shock." Connally's forceful personality and negotiating style made him a dominant figure within the administration, and he was widely regarded within Washington as one of the most influential members of Nixon's cabinet.

Switch to the Republican Party

In 1973, Connally formally switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. The move reflected broader political realignment in the American South, where many conservative Democrats were gravitating toward the Republican Party in response to the national Democratic Party's increasing identification with liberalism and the civil rights movement. Connally's switch was also driven by personal ambition; he believed the Republican Party offered him a more viable path to the presidency.

1980 Presidential Campaign

Connally sought the Republican nomination for president in 1980. He entered the race as a formidable contender, with extensive political experience, strong connections to the business community, and a reputation as a skilled campaigner. However, his campaign failed to gain traction against Ronald Reagan, who ultimately won the nomination and the presidency. Despite spending a substantial amount of money on his campaign — one of the most expensive primary campaigns of that era — Connally won only a single delegate, a result that became one of the more notable failures in modern presidential campaign history. His inability to connect with the Republican base, combined with lingering questions about his party switch and his association with the Nixon administration, undermined his candidacy.

Later Career and Financial Difficulties

After his unsuccessful presidential bid, Connally returned to private life in Texas, where he pursued business interests in real estate and oil. However, the collapse of oil prices and the Texas real estate market in the mid-1980s devastated his finances. In 1987, Connally and his wife, Nellie, filed for bankruptcy — a stunning reversal for a man who had once been among the most powerful figures in American politics and business. The bankruptcy proceedings, which included the public auction of many of the Connallys' personal possessions, attracted national media attention and were seen by many as a symbol of the broader economic downturn that had struck Texas.

Personal Life

John Connally married Idanell "Nellie" Brill in 1940, and the couple remained married until his death. Nellie Connally was a prominent figure in her own right and was present in the presidential motorcade in Dallas on November 22, 1963. She was the last surviving occupant of the presidential limousine, living until 2006. The Connallys had four children together.

The Connallys maintained a residence in the prestigious River Oaks neighborhood of Houston. Their home at 2411 River Oaks Boulevard, an elegant white stucco mid-century house on a gated half-acre lot, became one of the most storied properties in Houston real estate. The landmarked residence featured five bedrooms, a glass wine vault, and a two-story wing. It was listed for sale in August 2024 at a price of $8.995 million and was subsequently reported as one of the most expensive homes sold in Houston in July 2025.

John B. Connally died on June 15, 1993, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 76.

Recognition

Connally received numerous honors during and after his lifetime. His military service during World War II earned him the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit. As governor, he was recognized for his efforts to modernize Texas's economy and educational institutions.

John B. Connally High School in Austin, Texas, was named in his honor, serving as a lasting tribute to his contributions to the state.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has maintained exhibits documenting the state's investigation into the Kennedy assassination and the wounding of Connally, ensuring that the historical record of these events remains accessible to the public.

Legacy

John B. Connally's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He is remembered as one of the most consequential governors in Texas history, a figure who sought to move the state beyond its romanticized frontier identity and into a modern economic and cultural era. As Texas Monthly noted, Connally recognized that "the Texas stereotype wasn't good enough" and that the state needed to shed its "obsession with its mythic past" in order to realize its full potential. His push for investment in higher education, economic diversification, and cultural development helped shape the trajectory of Texas in the latter half of the twentieth century.

Connally's role in the Kennedy assassination remains a defining element of his public identity. As one of the few surviving witnesses to the shooting and a victim of the attack himself, his account of the events of November 22, 1963, contributed to the enduring public debate over the circumstances of the assassination. His skepticism toward the single-bullet theory added fuel to decades of speculation and investigation.

His switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party reflected and anticipated the broader political realignment of the American South, a transformation that reshaped national politics for generations. Although his 1980 presidential campaign ended in failure, his career illustrated the fluidity of American political allegiances during a period of profound change.

The financial reversal that marked his final years added a dimension of tragedy to Connally's story. His bankruptcy, coming after decades at the pinnacle of political and economic power, served as a cautionary tale about the volatility of the Texas oil and real estate economy. Yet his political achievements and his central role in one of the most significant events in American history ensured that his name would endure in the public memory.

The continued interest in his River Oaks residence — which sold as one of the most expensive homes in Houston in 2025 — reflects the lasting fascination with Connally's life and the era of Texas politics he embodied.