When he retired from the Navy in 1977, Denton returned to Mobile where he served as a consultant to the President of Spring Hill College. He also founded and led the non-profit organization, "Coalition for Decency."
In 1980 he was elected to the U.S. Senate, setting history in doing so. He became the first Republican ever elected by popular vote to the Senate from Alabama, the first resident of Mobile elected to the U.S. Senate, the first retired military flag officer and the first Catholic elected to any statewide office in Alabama. He was also the first retired Admiral or General elected to the U.S. Senate.
He served in the U.S. Senate from 1981-1987. While in the Senate, he served on the Judiciary Committee, the Labor and Human Resources Committee, and the Veterans Affairs Committee.
In 1983, he served as an observer to the election in El Salvador. He was also an advisor to President Reagan regarding the effort to stop communist aggression in Nicaragua.
The Denton Foundation was established in 1985. This space available program, in conjunction with the U.S. mililtary, has transported over 50 million pounds of equipment and supplies to needy people throughout the world at reduced or no cost.
Upon leaving the Senate, President Reagan appointed Denton Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Merchant Marine and Defense, a two-year appointment.
I remember Jeremiah Denton speaking at Dauphin Way Baptist Church while he was still in the U.S.Senate. It was quite an honor to listen to his testimony. He is a testament to his faith and that was evident in his compelling story as he recounted his years as a prisoner of war.