Quote Originally Posted by PeachLaser View Post
The fact that the South had a pattern of electing Senators over and over again which gave them top-seniority and power was a major reason the South got many military installations. Sen. Russell from Georgia was known as the 2nd most powerful man in Washington for almost 20 years and was head of the Armed Services Committee and was on the Appropriations Committee ensuring that Georgia and the South got more than its fair share of installations. I would say this fact was more of a factor than unionization. IMO
Because the "solid south" was firmly Democratic, the same senators and congressmen could be elected again and again. In the north, the Republicans and Democrats would have competitive races and it was difficult for anyone [[except the big city or rural representatives) to get much seniority. Look at how the senatorial seats in Michigan went back and forth between the parties.