Howard Andre McDonnell (June 13, 1909 - February 19, 1992) was an American Democratic politician from Mississippi.
[2][4] For a time, McDonnell studied business at Draughons College and eventually earned a PhD in Criminologal Research at Walden University.
[1]: 7 McDonnell was an advocate for prisoners' rights and worked to establish a juvenile court system in Mississippi.
[6] McDonnell publicly argued in the Sun Herald that such a court would prevent youth offenders from falling into a cycle of violence.
[11] His campaign focused on the promotion of his proposed juvenile court and on offering pensions to public employees.
[13] He quickly began laying the groundwork to establish a juvenile court system, sponsoring legislation to do so during his first weeks in office.
[16] He continued his progressive advocacy in 1942, sponsoring legislation to abolish Mississippi's poll tax, create a school for Black youth, and end the death penalty in the state.
[17][18][19] At the end of his term, McDonnell chose to run for the Mississippi State Senate, winning election.
[20][26] He ran again in 1951, winning election and quickly introducing a bill to end Mississippi's prohibition on alcohol.