Senate’s Candy Desk, A Republican Tradition Since the 1960s

Since 1965, there has been a tradition of Republicans keeping a desk full of candy in the Senate Chamber. It is currently located at the back area of the Senate’s Republican side, close to its busiest entrance. Senator George Murphy (R-CA) began filling the ‘Candy Desk’ with sweets in the late 1960s and over the years several senators have made sure this popular piece of furniture is kept well-stocked. Most recently, Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) volunteered to fill it and to help promote the Illinois candy trade, he stocks it with candy made in that state such as Mars, Milky Way and Snickers bars. Kirk, a junior senator, also sits at the historic desk. Read more about the Candy Desk and its fascinating history (including info about a version of the desk that the Democrats keep) at Wikipedia.

The “Candy Desk” tradition continued after Senator Murphy left the Senate in 1971. In the ensuing years, Senators fulfilled this roll including Paul Fannin (R-AZ), Harrison Schmitt (R-NM), Roger Jepsen (R-IA), Steve Symms (R-ID), Slade Gorton (R-WA), John McCain (R-AZ), Jim Jeffords (R-VT), Bob Bennett (R-UT), Rick Santorum (R-PA), Craig Thomas (R-ID), George Voinovich (R-OH), Mel Martinez (R-FL) and George LeMieux (R-FL).

The Candy Desk is currently located at #95, in yellow.

via Digg