Political Staffers
Oral History
- Brack, Andy (1992)
- Interview Transcript (41 pages) Andrew Clayborne Brack served as campaign spokesman during Fritz Hollings' 1992 campaign for reelection to the United States Senate. In that race, Hollings was opposed by Republican and former United States Congressman Tommy Hartnett. Hollings' seat had been targeted by the Republican Party as vulnerable and, indeed, the race proved to be one of the closest in Hollings' history. He won reelection with 50.07% of the vote. In the interview, Brack talks at length about the campaign and his role as spokesman, and his assessment of the Hartnett campaign.
- Chadwick, Thomas W. (1995)
- Interview Transcript: Thomas W. Chadwick (b.1923) served U.S. Senator Olin D. Johnston as Press Secretary, Legislative Assistant, and Campaign Manager between 1955 and the Senator's death in 1965. In this interview, he reflects upon his education at the U.S.C. School of Journalism, his years as a reporter for The State, work as a Senate staffer, and roles in the presidential campaigns of Adlai Stevenson, 1952 and 1956, John F. Kennedy, 1960, Lyndon Baines Johnson, 1964, and Hubert Humphrey, 1968.
Also in this interview, Chadwick describes the leadership which Johnston provided in the office, his concern for the common man and liberal economic stance, and the campaigns in which Chadwick figured. He also discusses the roles played in the office by other key staff members such as Robert L. Alexander, Hyram W. "Bill" Brawley, Andrew M. Faucette (1895-1961), and Baxter Funderburke, as well as Johnston's brother William C. Johnston and the Senator's wife, Gladys, and talks of close associates Senator Frank Carlson (R-KS), J.C. Long, Robert Hemphill, and others.
- Cook, W. A. "Al" (2001)
- Interview Transcript: W. A. "Al" Cook (1925-c. 2005) was former Legislative Assistant to S.C. Second-District Congressman John J. Riley and chief of staff to his successors, Albert Watson and Floyd Spence. He served on the Hill from March 1953 to his retirement from federal service in 1985. In this 2001 interview, he reflects on his career and the members under whom he served.
- Copps, Michael (1996)
- Interview Transcript (33 pages) The interview focuses on Dr. Michael Copps' role on the staff of Senator Ernest F. Hollings, 1970 to 1985, as a special research assistant, executive assistant, and eventually Administrative Assistant. Copps reflects on Hollings' work habits and character, provides astute descriptions of the inner workings of the Hollings Office, and comments on Hollings' impact on the debate over the SALT treaties, the Carter administration's passage of the Panama Canal treaties, and Hollings' 1984 Presidential campaign and decision to shift from the Budget Committee to Commerce.
- Harper, Walter W. (1997)
- Interview Transcript (36 pages) Walter W. Harper was hired by Gov. Fritz Hollings in 1959 as Director of the South Carolina Development Board. Harper had been engaged in development work in North Carolina under its governor, Luther Hodges. Hollings had campaigned promising to devote himself to improving the economic climate of South Carolina. Soon after taking office, Hollings expanded the Board's membership from five to fifteen and brought Harper in to plan, organize, and help lead an energetic development effort aimed at expanding current manufacturing enterprises, bringing new industry to South Carolina, and promoting tourism. Here, Harper reflects on his leadership of the Development Board, 1959-1967. [Note: The transcript has been heavily edited by Mr. Harper to ensure the fullest and most accurate account possible.]
- Hughes, Mary Winton (1993)
- Interview Transcript (41 pages) Hughes reflects on her career as a Senate staff member in the office of Fritz Hollings.
- Kollmansperger, Karen (1993)
- Interview Transcript (29 pages) Kollmansperger reflects on her experiences in Washington, D.C., chiefly while working on the staff of Senator Ernest F. Hollings.
- Maupin, Joe (1999)
- Interview Transcript (40 pages) Maupin was U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings' Charleston Area Director. In this interview he reflects on his service directing the Low Country operations of the office, beginning in 1978.
- Meng, Bernard B. "Bubba" (1992)
- Interview Transcript (21 pages) Bernard B. "Bubba" Meng (b. 1938) graduated from USC and initially became involved in South Carolina politics through his friendship with fellow student Liz Johnston, daughter of US Senator Olin D. Johnston. Meng worked for Johnston in Washington in the early 1960s, later joined "Fritz" Hollings' 1966 Senate campaign staff, and stayed on with Hollings as his Home Secretary until his retirement in 1989.
- Payne, Martha (1995)
- Interview Transcript (23 pages) Mrs. Payne worked for Ernest F. Hollings first while he served as Governor of South Carolina and rejoined his staff shortly after his election to the U.S. Senate. Her work in the Senator's Columbia office chiefly entailed constituent service work. Mrs. Payne retired in 1995.
- Walker, Harry (1999)
- Interview Transcript: Harry Walker (1929-2008) served as Governor Fritz Hollings' legal assistant from 1959-1953. He was responsible for all legal matters that reached the Governor's office, advised Hollings on the constitutionality of bills sent for the governor's signature, oversaw statewide appointments and those requiring Senate confirmation, and served as disaster coordinator for South Carolina and as liaison with all law enforcement. This latter capacity proved particularly challenging, as Walker worked closely with SLED chief Pete Strom to ensure the peace during this watershed period of civil rights activities was of the South Carolina Senate, 1955-1966; as Lieutenant Governor, 1967-1971; as Governor, 1971-1975; and as United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1977-1981.
