- Collection:
- Reflections on Georgia Politics oral history collection, 2006-2010
- Title:
- Lewis Massey, 16 April 2009.
- Creator:
- Massey, Lewis A., 1962
Short, Bob, 1932 - Contributor to Resource:
- Short, Bob, 1932-
- Date of Original:
- 2009-04-16
- Subject:
- Georgia--General Assembly
Olympic Games--1996 :--Atlanta, Ga.)
Olympic Games
Elections--Georgia
Governors--Georgia
Politicians--Georgia--Interviews
Political campaigns--Georgia
Voting--Georgia
Elections
Governors
Political campaigns
Politicians
Voting
Georgia - People:
- Howard, Pierre
Massey, Lewis A., 1962-
Kidd, Culver, 1914-1995
Benham, Robert, 1946-
Harris, Joe Frank - Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
- Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
interviews - Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- Related materials held in the following collections of this repository: Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection, ROGP 131 Abit Massey.
Lewis Massey was born in Gainesville, Georgia, in 1962. The son of Abit Massey, director of the Georgia Poultry Federation, Lewis grew up in politics. He majored in finance at the University of Georgia, and was active in student government. He was a driver for the first African-American Chief Justice in Georgia, Robert Benham. Upon graduation, he worked with a financial planning company, and then helped Joe Frank Harris campaign for governor. In 1990, he went to work with Pierre Howard's campaign for lieutenant governor. Howard was elected, and Massey was appointed Chief of Staff. In 1994, he successfully managed Howard's campaign for reelection. Governor Zell Miller appointed Massey to the position of Georgia Secretary of State upon Max Cleland's resignation. In 1996, Massey won a successful reelection campaign. As Secretary of State, he devised bills to stop telemarketing fraud, and to pass the first Voter ID law. In 1998, he campaigned for governor, but came second to Roy Barnes.
Finding aid available in repository.
Lewis Massey discusses his childhood growing up in Gainesville and as the son of Abit Massey, Director of the Georgia Poultry Federation. He discusses his experience with student government during his time at the University of Georgia. Massey recalls his volunteer work on campaigns for Bobby Lawsom and Joe Wood. He mentions his first paid campaign position as a driver for Robert Benham and his friendship with Joe Frank Harris. Massey discusses working on Joe Frank Harris's gubernatorial campaign and subsequently in his administration. He mentions Governor Harris's work with Quality Basic Education. Massey discusses his experience helping to bring the Olympics to Georgia and his work as Pierre Howard's campaign manager and subsequent Chief of Staff. He recalls his friendship with Culver Kidd and explains Kidd's nickname for him, "Possum". Massey explains how he was appointed Secretary of State and recalls his work in that position, including establishing a website on the emerging internet, his efforts to curtail telemarketing abuse, and establishing safeguards for the payment of child support. He also discusses voter identification legislation and the quality of Georgia's voting system. Massey discusses his campaign for Governor against Roy Barnes. He also comments on party politics in Georgia.
Interviewed by Bob Short. - Metadata URL:
- http://purl.libs.uga.edu/russell/RBRL220ROGP-077/ohms
- Language:
- eng
- Additional Rights Information:
- Resources may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection, ROGP 077, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.
- Extent:
- 1 interview (53 min.) : sd., col.
- Original Collection:
- Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection
http://sclfind.libs.uga.edu/sclfind/view?docId=ead/RBRL220ROGP.xml - Holding Institution:
- Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
- Rights:
-
