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Ken Zehnder - Governor Jim Edgar Project
Ken Zehnder began his political work on the George H.W. Bush 1980 primary bid in Illinois, then spent the next eighteen years working with Jim Edgar, first as Secretary of State Edgar's scheduler, and following Edgar's successful bid for the governorship in 1990, as the Governor's assistant for Boards and Commissions. In 1995 Zehnder moved to the Department of Revenue, where he soon was appointed as the director.
Interview Links
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Zehnder's service with Sec. of State Edgar
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Asst. to Gov. Edgar on Boards & Commissions
Transcript
Photos
Caption
Ken Zehnder and trusty dog “Abe” at a Paul Findley campaign event in 1980. Findley was waging a successful campaign for the U.S. Congress.
Where:
Paul Findley Campaign Event
When:
1980
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Ken Zehnder and trusty dog “Abe” at a Paul Findley campaign event in 1980. Findley was waging a successful campaign for the U.S. Congress.
Where:
Paul Findley Campaign Event
When:
1980
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
President George Bush meets with Zehnder in the late 1980s. Zehnder had worked in candidate Bush’s presidential primary campaign in 1980. In the back right of the photo is Don Norton, Paul Findley’s COS for many years.
Where:
Unknown
When:
late 1980s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Ken Zehnder, on the right, and another staffer met with U.S. House Minority Leader Bob Michel (Republican) in the mid 1980s.
Where:
Unknown
When:
mid-1980s
Ownership:
Narrators photo
Caption
Secretary of State Jim Edgar’s swearing-in ceremony in January, 1981. Governor Jim Thompson joins the Edgar family at the podium, with Chief Justice Joseph Goldenhersh on the right.
Where:
Illinois State Capital
When:
January, 1981
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Jim Edgar and Senator elect Alan Dixon, the former Secretary of State, with their transition teams in 1981.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1981
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Zehnder and fellow campaign workers share a lighter moment during Secretary of State Edgar’s campaign for election in the fall of 1982. Next to Zehnder is campaign office manager Nancy See.
Where:
Edgar Campaign Office
When:
Fall of 1982
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Secretary of State Edgar, in the center, admires the architecture at the IL state capital during a meeting with Missouri’s Secretary of State Roy Blunt, on the left, and Gov. John Ashcroft, also from Missouri, on the right, circa 1986.
Where:
Illinois State Capital
When:
circa 1986
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
The Edgar family meets Vice President George H.W. Bush in 1988. Governor Edgar is holding Julie Castelloe (his goddaughter), with Elizabeth, Brenda and Brad joining in. Governor Edgar had endorsed Bush for President that day.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1988
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Colorado Secretary of State Natalie Meyer and Ken Zehnder in 1990 during Ken’s visit to Colorado when Edgar served as the President of the Secretary of State Association. While there, Gov. Thompson told Edgar he would not be running for reelection.
Where:
Colorado
When:
1990
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Election Night November 1990 at the Chicago Hyatt Hotel. Governor and Mrs. Edgar are joined by Secretary of State staff members.
Where:
Chicago Hyatt Hotel
When:
Election Night, November 1990
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Gov. Jim Edgar and his staff on one of the countless trips around Illinois, circa 1991. From left to right are Tom Livingston, Martin Green, Gary Mack, the pilot and a state trooper.
Where:
Illinois
When:
circa 1991
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Edgar and Revenue Director Zehnder share a moment in 1995.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1995
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Ken Zehnder meet during a Republican presidential primary campaign visit in 1996.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1996
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Former Governor Jim Edgar, Ken Zehnder and State Representative Bob Pritchard, circa 2008
Where:
Unknown
When:
circa 2008
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Secretary of State Edgar and Ken Zehnder cool down after Jim won again at tennis.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Secretary of State Edgar, who also served as the State Librarian in a photo promoting “Read Illinois.” The governor was a voracious reader of history and politics.
Where:
Secretary of State's Office
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Ken Zehnder at ease playing the guitar. Zehnder sometimes took up his guitar to help him relax and unwind.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Ken Zehnder talks with Secretary of State Edgar on Capitol grounds in the late 1980s.
Where:
Illinois State Capital
When:
late 1980s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Ken Zehnder and Janis Cellini, Edgar’s Personnel Director, meet with Edgar at the Governor’s Mansion.
Where:
Governor's Mansion, Springfield, IL
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Ken and Lynn Zehnder at a Christmas Holiday Reception at while Edgar was Governor.
Where:
Christmas Holiday Reception
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.