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A. James Manchin

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A. James Manchin
Official portrait, c. 1983
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
In office
December 1, 1998 – November 3, 2003
Serving with
  • Mike Caputo (1998–2003)
  • Paul Prunty (1998–2002)
  • Donna R. Renner (2002–2003)
Preceded byNick Fantasia
Succeeded byTim Manchin
Constituency43rd district
In office
December 1, 1948 – December 1, 1950
Serving with Fred Doringer & Clarence Hall
Preceded byFrancis R. Stewart
Succeeded byGeorge W. May
ConstituencyMarion County
21st West Virginia State Treasurer
In office
January 14, 1985 – July 9, 1989
GovernorArch A. Moore Jr.
Preceded byLarrie Bailey
Succeeded byThomas Loehr
25th West Virginia Secretary of State
In office
January 17, 1977 – January 14, 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
ResidenceFairmont, West Virginia
EducationWest Virginia University
OccupationHigh school teacher
Signature
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Battles/warsWorld War II

Antonio James Manchin (April 7, 1927 – November 3, 2003) was a West Virginia Democratic politician who served as a member of the House of Delegates (1948–50; 1998–2003), as Secretary of State (1977–85), and as State Treasurer (1985–89). A colorful and controversial figure, he was the uncle of former West Virginia Governor and current U.S. Senator Joe Manchin.

Early life

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Manchin was born in Farmington, West Virginia to Kathleen and Joseph Manchin I. His parents were of Italian descent.[1] 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.[2]

In 1951, Manchin received his bachelor's degree in political science and sociology from West Virginia University.[2] In 1953, he received his teaching certification from Fairmont State College.[2] He spent most of the 1950s working as a high school teacher and wrestling coach.[3] In 1962, he received his master's degree in education from West Virginia University.[2]

Early career

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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.[4]

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.[5] 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[3] as well as numerous appliances. He would visit schools and ask students for help by joining his “REAP Regiment.”[6][7]

Statewide office

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In 1976, Manchin ran again for Secretary of State and defeated incumbent Republican James R. McCartney 55%–45%.[8] In 1980, he won re-election with 71% of the vote.[9]

Elected State Treasurer in 1984, he created the Teddi Program, which brought 28,000 new jobs to West Virginia.[3] 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.[10] The impeachment resolution blamed Manchin for negligence in delegating and supervising the investment fund, making improper investments and covering up losses.[11][12]

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.[11] He resigned before his impeachment trial before the State Senate was completed.

West Virginia legislature (1998–2003)

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Elections

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He returned to the House of Delegates in 1998, where he served until his death from a massive heart attack in 2003.[13][14]

Tenure

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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.[3]

Committee assignments

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

Personal life

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Manchin was married to Stella Machel Petros and had three children. One of his sons, Mark, is Harrison County, West Virginia Superintendent of Schools.[15] A Roman Catholic, A. James Manchin served as a lector at his church.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Joseph, Manchin. "1930 US Census, Marion County, West Virginia". FamilySearch. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c d e "House Resolution 4, a Memorial to Manchin". 2004. Archived from the original on 2020-10-28.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Our Campaigns - WV Secretary of State - D Primary Race - May 09, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Nov 21, 2020.
  6. ^ Julien, Norman. "The West Virginia Encyclopedia". Archived from the original on 2012-12-10.
  7. ^ "A. James Manchin Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan". West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. 2021-02-24. Archived from the original on 2021-02-08.
  8. ^ "Our Campaigns - WV Secretary of State Race - Nov 02, 1976". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Nov 21, 2020.
  9. ^ "Our Campaigns - WV Secretary of State Race - Nov 04, 1980". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Nov 21, 2020.
  10. ^ Associated Press. "Impeachment in West Virginia", The New York Times, March 30, 1989.
  11. ^ a b A.V. Gallagher (March 30, 1989). "Manchin impeached, but vows to stay on". The Free-Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Associated Press.
  12. ^ "Office History". Archived from the original on 2011-12-20. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  13. ^ "Williamson Daily News - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved Nov 21, 2020.
  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

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  • Icenhower, Greg (1990), A. James Manchin: A Biography of Controversy; Headline Books, 212 pgs.
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Party political offices
Preceded by
Thomas A. Winner
 Democratic nominee for Secretary of State of West Virginia
1976, 1980 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Larrie Bailey
 Democratic nominee for West Virginia State Treasurer
1984, 1988 		Succeeded by
Thomas E. Loehr
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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