Byrd appointed him to a deputy whip position, making him the only freshman Senator to serve in party leadership in the 96th Congress. 1980 defeat Stewart failed to gain reelection to the Senate in 1980, losing the Democratic primary to state Public Service Commissioner Jim Folsom, Jr. Folsom went on to lose narrowly to Republican Jeremiah Denton in the general election. Stewart remained in the Senate until January 2, 1981, when he resigned one day before his term expired. Post-Senate career Stewart practices law in Alabama. He was lead attorney on a class action lawsuit against agricultural biotech giant Monsanto Company for PCB dumping in his hometown of Anniston. The case garnered national attention, including coverage by CBS's 60 Minutes. As of 2002, the company had paid out as much as $160 million against various plaintiffs in Alabama, including those represented by Stewart. He also serves on the advisory board of the University of Alabama's Blackburn Institute. Notes External links 1940 births Living people Democratic Party members of the Alabama House of Representatives Democratic Party Alabama state senators United States magistrate judges Democratic Party United States senators from Alabama People from Talladega County, Alabama Politicians from Anniston, Alabama Alabama lawyers University of Alabama alumni University of Alabama School of Law alumni 20th-century American politicians