John J. Dunnigan

John J. Dunnigan (September 6, 1883 – December 1965) was an American architect, builder and politician from New York. He was President pro tempore of the New York State Senate from 1933 to 1938.

Life

He was a Democratic member of the New York State Senate from 1915 to 1920, sitting in the 138th, 139th, 140th, 141st, 142nd and 143rd New York State Legislatures.

In 1921, he contested the election of Republican George H. Taylor to the State Senate, and was seated on February 15 in the 144th New York State Legislature. He remained in the State Senate until 1944, sitting in the 145th, 146th, 147th, 148th, 149th, 150th, 151st, 152nd, 153rd, 154th, 155th, 156th, 157th, 158th, 159th, 160th, 161st, 162nd, 163rd and 164th New York State Legislatures; and was Minority Leader from 1931 to 1932, President pro tempore from 1933 to 1938, and again Minority Leader from 1939 to 1944. He was a delegate to the New York Convention to ratify the 21st Amendment in 1933.

He co-authored the Parimutuel betting law which legalized betting on horses at the racetracks, and banished the bookmakers from the tracks. It also gave the State a 5% share in the bets. He inaugurated the novelty by buying the first ticket at Jamaica Racetrack in April 1940.

His son James J. Dunnigan (1912–1983) was President of the Buffalo Raceway in Hamburg, NY from its establishment in 1942 until the 1960s.