A. James Manchin

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A. James Manchin
West Virginia Secretary of State
In office
1977–1985
GovernorJay Rockefeller
Preceded byJames R. McCartney
Succeeded byKen Hechler
Personal details
Born
Antonio James Manchin

(1927-04-07)April 7, 1927
Farmington, West Virginia, U.S.
DiedNovember 3, 2003(2003-11-03) (aged 76)
Fairmont, West Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseStella Machel Petros
Children3, including Mark
Residence(s)Fairmont, West Virginia
Alma materWest Virginia University
ProfessionHigh school teacher

Antonio James Manchin (April 7, 1927 – November 3, 2003) was a

Joe Manchin
.

Early life

Manchin was born in Farmington, West Virginia to Kathleen and Joseph Manchin I. His parents were of Italian descent.[3] He was educated in the schools of Marion County and was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1948 at age 21, but was defeated for re-election in 1950.[4]

In 1951, Manchin received his bachelor's degree in political science and sociology from

Fairmont State College.[4] He spent most of the 1950s working as a high school teacher and wrestling coach.[5] In 1962, he received his master's degree in education from West Virginia University.[4]

Early career

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Manchin to serve as state director of the Farmers Home Administration and in 1970 he was appointed special assistant to the National Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration.[6]

In 1972, he ran for

West Virginia Secretary of State when incumbent Jay Rockefeller retired to run for governor. In the seven-candidate Democratic primary, he finished second with 18% of the vote, behind Thomas Winner who won with a plurality of 20% of the vote.[7] After the election, Governor Arch A. Moore Jr. in 1973 appointed him to direct the Rehabilitation Environmental Action Program (REAP), a successful effort which rid the State of more than 100,000 junked cars[5] as well as numerous appliances. He would visit schools and ask students for help by joining his “REAP Regiment.”[8][9]

Statewide office

In 1976, Manchin ran again for Secretary of State and defeated incumbent Republican James R. McCartney 55%–45%.[10] In 1980, he won re-election with 71% of the vote.[11]

Elected State Treasurer in 1984, he created the Teddi Program, which brought 28,000 new jobs to West Virginia.[5] He was impeached by the House of Delegates on March 30, 1989, amid a controversy over bad investments that lost the state $279 million mainly during the time period between April and June 1987.[12] The impeachment resolution blamed Manchin for negligence in delegating and supervising the investment fund, making improper investments and covering up losses.[13]

Though he initially vowed to stay in office, conviction by the Senate would have meant losing his eligibility to run for office again, and could have cost him his pension.[13] He resigned before his impeachment trial before the State Senate was completed.

West Virginia legislature (1998–2003)

Elections

He returned to the House of Delegates in 1998, where he served until his death from a massive heart attack in 2003.[14]

Tenure

The House of Delegates called him "a flamboyant character of the first magnitude" and praised his love of ceremony in their resolution honoring him after his death.[5]

Committee assignments

  • Government Organization
  • Roads and Transportation
  • Veteran Affair (Vice Chair)
  • Enrolled Bills (Chair)

Personal life

Manchin was married to Stella Machel Petros and had three children. One of his sons, Mark, is Harrison County, West Virginia Superintendent of Schools.

Roman Catholic, A. James Manchin served as a lector at his church.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Williamson Daily News - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved Nov 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "Office History". Archived from the original on 2011-12-20. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  3. ^ Joseph, Manchin. "1930 US Census, Marion County, West Virginia". FamilySearch. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d "Biography, A. James Manchin, Secretary of State" (PDF). The Mountaineer. Weston, WV: The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State. June 19, 1980. p. 4.
  5. ^ a b c d e "House Resolution 4, a Memorial to Manchin". 2004. Archived from the original on 2020-10-28.
  6. ^ Davis, Jim (November 16, 2013). "JFK: 'I will help West Virginia'; President's death was setback for state that helped put him in office". The Exponent Telegram. Clarksburg, WV.
  7. ^ "Our Campaigns - WV Secretary of State - D Primary Race - May 09, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Nov 21, 2020.
  8. ^ Julien, Norman. "The West Virginia Encyclopedia". Archived from the original on 2012-12-10.
  9. ^ "A. James Manchin Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan". West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. 2021-02-24. Archived from the original on 2021-02-08.
  10. ^ "Our Campaigns - WV Secretary of State Race - Nov 02, 1976". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Nov 21, 2020.
  11. ^ "Our Campaigns - WV Secretary of State Race - Nov 04, 1980". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Nov 21, 2020.
  12. ^ Associated Press. "Impeachment in West Virginia", The New York Times, March 30, 1989.
  13. ^ a b A.V. Gallagher (March 30, 1989). "Manchin impeached, but vows to stay on". The Free-Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Associated Press.
  14. ^ Legendary W.Va. Politician, Del. A. James Manchin Dies, The Times Leader, 3 Nov 2003
  15. ^ "Point Pleasant Register - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved Nov 21, 2020.

Further reading

  • Icenhower, Greg (1990), A. James Manchin: A Biography of Controversy; Headline Books, 212 pgs.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
West Virginia Secretary of State

1977—1985 		Succeeded by
Preceded by West Virginia State Treasurer
1985—1989 		Succeeded by
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