James Lane Buckley was an influential American politician and judge best know for being the lead plaintiff in a landmark campaign finance lawsuit — Buckley v. Valeo — that in 1976 unraveled part of the post-Watergate regulation of political money. He was also known for serving in the United States Senate as a member of the Conservative Party of New York State from 1971 to 1977. Buckley came from a prominent family with a long lineage of public service. His political career began in the 1960s wh... moreJames Lane Buckley was an influential American politician and judge best know for being the lead plaintiff in a landmark campaign finance lawsuit — Buckley v. Valeo — that in 1976 unraveled part of the post-Watergate regulation of political money. He was also known for serving in the United States Senate as a member of the Conservative Party of New York State from 1971 to 1977. Buckley came from a prominent family with a long lineage of public service. His political career began in the 1960s when he was elected to the U.S. Senate as a member of the Conservative Party of New York. Serving from 1971 to 1977, he was known for his unwavering commitment to limited government, fiscal responsibility, and individual liberty. Buckley later served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1985 to 1996. Buckley was also a prolific author. He wrote several books on political and legal topics, including "Saving Congress from Itself: Emancipating the States and Empowering Their People" and "Freedom at Risk: Reflections on Politics, Liberty, and the State." These works reflected his deep commitment to preserving individual freedom, limited government, and the principles upon which the United States was founded.