Philip A. Traynor

Dr. Philip Andrew Traynor (May 31 1874 – December 5 1962) was an American dentist and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party and served two terms as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family
Traynor was born May 31 1874 in Wilmington, Delaware. He attended the public schools, Goldey Business College, in Wilmington, and the University of Delaware at Newark. He graduated in 1895 from the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, and began the practice of dentistry in Wilmington.

Professional and political career
Traynor was a member of the Delaware board of dentistry from 1918 until 1943, serving as its chairman after 1922. He was also vice president and member of the board of trustees of Ferris Industrial School for Boys from 1938 until1942. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1940, defeating incumbent Republican U.S. Representative George S. Williams. He lost his bid for a second term in 1942 to Republican, Earle D. Willey, but in a 1944 rematch defeated Willey, and returned to the U.S. House. Finally, he lost his bid for a third term to Republican J. Caleb Boggs, a New Castle County lawyer, and war veteran. Traynor served in the Democratic majority in the 77th, and 79th Congress. He was in office from January 3 1941 until January 3 1943, and again from January 3 1945 until January 3 1947, during the administrations of U.S. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

Death and legacy
Traynor died December 5 1962 in Wilmington, Delaware, and is buried in the Cathedral Cemetery there.

Public offices
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. U.S. Representatives take office January 3rd, and have a term of two years.

{|class=wikitable style="width: 94%" style="text-align: center;" align="center" ! Office ! Type ! Location ! Elected ! Took Office ! Left Office ! notes
 * -bgcolor=#cccccc
 * U.S. Representative
 * Legislature
 * Washington
 * 1940
 * January 3 1941
 * January 3 1943
 * U.S. Representative
 * Legislature
 * Washington
 * 1944
 * January 3 1945
 * January 3 1947
 * 1944
 * January 3 1945
 * January 3 1947

Election results
{| class=wikitable style="width: 94%" style="text-align: center;" align="center"
 * -bgcolor=#cccccc
 * Year
 * Office
 * Subject
 * Party
 * Votes
 * Opponent
 * Party
 * Votes
 * 1940
 * U.S. Representative
 * |Philip A. Traynor
 * |Democratic
 * |68,205
 * |51%
 * |George S. Williams
 * |Republican
 * |64,384
 * |48%
 * 1942
 * U.S. Representative
 * |Philip A. Traynor
 * |Democratic
 * |38,791
 * |46%
 * |Earle D. Willey
 * |Republican
 * |45,376
 * |54%
 * 1944
 * U.S. Representative
 * |Philip A. Traynor
 * |Democratic
 * |63,649
 * |50%
 * |Earle D. Willey
 * |Republican
 * |62,378
 * |49%
 * 1946
 * U.S. Representative
 * |Philip A. Traynor
 * |Democratic
 * |49,105
 * |44%
 * |J. Caleb Boggs
 * |Republican
 * |63,516
 * |56%
 * |Republican
 * |62,378
 * |49%
 * 1946
 * U.S. Representative
 * |Philip A. Traynor
 * |Democratic
 * |49,105
 * |44%
 * |J. Caleb Boggs
 * |Republican
 * |63,516
 * |56%
 * |Republican
 * |63,516
 * |56%

Places with more information

 * University of Delaware Library 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965.
 * Newark Free Library 750 Library Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 731-7550.
 * Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library 2nd and High St., Odessa, Delaware (302) 378-8838.
 * Historical Society of Delaware 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161.