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Remembering Jess Hay

As the finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee in the late 1970s, Jess Hay was one of the most influential Democrats in the country.

He helped raised campaign cash for former President Jimmy Carter and former Vice President Walter Mondale, as well as Texans like former Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby and former U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen.

The Dallas businessman was an inspiration for emerging leaders such as Bill Clinton, who would go on to be president.

Hay died last week in Dallas at age 84.

Though Hay is best remembered for helping Democrats in the pre-Barack Obama era, he spent the final years of his life fighting against the GOP tide in Texas and elsewhere.

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey is one of the new Democratic leaders Hay helped.

"Jess Hay was a longtime Democrat and supporter, but he was also a friend that I could always count on for guidance during crucial times in my campaign for Congress," Veasey said. "I often asked him to recount stories about his role in Democratic political history in Texas. He was more than generous with his time and resources and is deeply missed by many."