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Hezekiah Wagstaff

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American political consultant (1951-2016)
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Hezekiah Wagstaff
Wagstaff in 1985
Assistant Press Secretary to the Governor of Alabama
In office
January 30, 1983 – November 14, 1985
GovernorGeorge Wallace
Press SecretaryBilly Joe Camp
Succeeded byFrank Mastin Jr.
Personal details
Born(1951-02-03)February 3, 1951
Uniontown, Alabama, U.S.
DiedJuly 7, 2016(2016-07-07) (aged 65)
Alabama, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materAlabama A&M University

Hezekiah Wagstaff (February 3, 1951 - July 7, 2016) was an American political consultant and activist from the state of Alabama. A member of the Democratic Party, he is most known for having served as Governor George Wallace's assistant press secretary from 1983 until his dismissal in 1985. Wagstaff was replaced by Montgomery reporter Frank Mastin Jr. after a series of scandals and criticism of Governor Wallace.

Biography

In the 1970s, Wagstaff was the Alabama director of the Emergency Land Fund, a privately owned non-profit organization founded in 1971 to prevent the loss of minority-owned land to banks and corporations. While working as a political consultant in 1980, he befriended Billy Joe Camp, then campaigning to become a commissioner on the Alabama Public Service Commission. Upon Camp's election, Wagstaff became his administrative assistant.

He became embroiled in controversy in 1982 for submitting a $393.95 meal and accommodation expense voucher despite meals being included in a convention registration fee. A district attorney subpoenaed records, and Wagstaff repaid $186 to the state.

Governor George Wallace appointed Wagstaff as assistant press secretary on January 30, 1983, upon Camp's recommendation. In September 1984, it was revealed he had been convicted of driving without a license in 1980, 1981, and 1982, with his license suspended since 1977 for speeding. On October 28, 1985, he was fired after accusing Governor Wallace of covering up disputes and attempting to transfer to the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs.

Personal life

Wagstaff married Altress Faye Rice on June 18, 1979, in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1986 Rice accused Wagstaff of stabbing and beating her, leading him to be charged with third degree assault. In 1993, he served jail time for writing bad checks.

Footnotes

  1. Wagstaff officially left office on November 14. He was fired on October 28 and had been on paid leave for his final weeks in office.

References

  1. ^ Written at Montgomery, Alabama. "Reporter Named As Gov.'s New Press Secretary". Dothan Eagle (Broadsheet). Vol. 79, no. 43. Dothan, Alabama: Lee Enterprises. Associated Press. 1985-08-02. p. 13. ISSN 0745-855X. LCCN sn83007799. OCLC 9512126. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Frederick, Jeff (2007-11-11). Stand Up for Alabama: Governor George Wallace. University of Alabama Press. p. 390. ISBN 978-0-8173-1574-0.
  3. Ehn, Jack (1977-12-18). "South Rising Again; so is Price of Land". The Selma Times-Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 150, no. 242. Selma, Alabama: Boone Newspapers. p. 2. ISSN 1043-9129. LCCN sn86050387. OCLC 14480779. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Sikora, Frank (1978-02-15). "Black Land Owners in South Drop". The News Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 93, no. 346. Mansfield, Ohio: Gannett. Newhouse News Service, a subsidiary of Advance Publications. p. 8. LCCN sn85042614. OCLC 12717053. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Wagstaff Admits Change". Focus on Alabama. Alabama Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 95, no. 204. Montgomery, Alabama: Journal Publishing Company. 1983-07-17. p. 5. ISSN 0745-323X. LCCN sn87062018. OCLC 2666111. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Alliance Plans to Challenge Power Firm's Fuel Charge". Alabama Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 93, no. 92. Montgomery, Alabama: Journal Publishing Company. 1981-05-11. p. 2. ISSN 0745-323X. LCCN sn87062018. OCLC 2666111. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Duvall, Sam (1982-03-04). "2 PSC Employees Bill State for Meals". The Montgomery Advertiser (Broadsheet). Vol. 155, no. 45. Montgomery, Alabama: Gannett. pp. 1, 2. ISSN 2993-9143. LCCN sn84020645. OCLC 2685433 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "PSC Commissioner Folsom Suspends Feuding Aids; Hearing Set Monday". Alabama Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 94, no. 50. Montgomery, Alabama: Journal Publishing Company. Associated Press. 1982-03-12. p. 1. ISSN 0745-323X. LCCN sn87062018. OCLC 2666111. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Funk, Tim (1983-01-30). "Here are Members of Governor's Staff". The Anniston Star (Broadsheet). Vol. 104, no. 30. Anniston, Alabama: Consolidated Publishing Co. p. 63. LCCN sn85045157. OCLC 12961379. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Ford, Bessie (1984-06-19). "Aide Drove Without License". Alabama Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 96, no. 188. Montgomery, Alabama: Journal Publishing Company. United Press International. p. 1. ISSN 0745-323X. LCCN sn87062018. OCLC 2666111. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Marriage Licenses". County Records. Alabama Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 91, no. 127. Montgomery, Alabama: Journal Publishing Company. 1979-06-27. p. 46. ISSN 0745-323X. LCCN sn87062018. OCLC 2666111. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Affidavits show wagstaff allegedly beat his wife". The Montgomery Advertiser. 1986-09-29. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  13. "Former Wallace Aide released from Autauga jail". The Montgomery Advertiser. 1993-02-05. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
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