Before he began his political career, he was active in promoting youth involvement in leadership in agriculture and rural communities.

He was considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, and his television show Dialogue with Litton was broadcast statewide.

Among the guests were Jimmy Carter, former Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz, Congressman Tip O'Neill, and House Speaker Carl Albert.

[5] Seven other candidates, including Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Charles Wheeler, split the remaining 4 percent of the vote.

The plane veered to the left and crashed rapidly into a soybean field, where it exploded on impact, burning all victims beyond recognition.

The NTSB reported that the pilot did not retract the wheels when the engine cut off and that this contributed to the sudden loss of control.