Title Page & Abstract
An Interview with Carter Hendren
Part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Illinois Statecraft – Jim Edgar Oral History project
Interview # ISG-A-L-2009-013
Carter Hendren, campaign manager for Jim Edgar during his run in 1982 for Secretary of State and 1990 for the governorship, was interviewed on the date listed below as part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library’s Illinois Statecraft – Jim Edgar Oral History project.
Interview dates & location:
Date: April 28, 2009 Location: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Date: May 7, 2009 Location: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Interview Format: Digital audio
Interviewer: Mark R. DePue, Director of Oral History, ALPL
Transcription by: Audio Transcription Center, Boston, MA
Edited by: Mike Czaplicki, Jim Edgar Oral History project editor, and Rozanne Flatt, ALPL Volunteer
Total Pages: 79 pages Total Time: 1 hr 54 min + 1 hr 57 min / 1.9 + 1.95= 3.85 hrs
Session 1: Early career through Jim Edgar campaign of 1982 and Charles Percy 1984
Session 2: Jim Edgar’s 1990 gubernatorial campaign
Accessioned into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Archives on 02/02/2010.
The interviews are archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.
© 2009 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Abstract
Carter Hendren, Illinois Statecraft, ISG-A-L-2009-013
Biographical Information Overview of Interview: Carter Hendren was born on July 13, 1952 in Champaign and grew up in nearby Albion, Illinois. Hendren became interested in politics at an early age, helping his father run for a seat in the 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention. He majored in Political Science while at Eastern Illinois University, where he graduated in 1970. In 1974 he became involved in Jim Edgar’s campaign for state legislator, at a time when Edgar was largely unknown. After that failed bid, Carter stayed in close contact with Edgar, and ran Edgar’s campaign for the Secretary of State in 1982, as well as Edgar’s run for governor in 1990. Both were tough and close campaigns for Edgar. In 1984, Hendren served as campaign manager for Senator Charles Percy, running for reelection as a Republican against Paul Simon. Percy lost his bid for reelection.
From 1985 to 1987 he worked for the GOP Action Committee (GOPAC), during which time he shuttled back and forth between Springfield, IL and Washington, D.C. GOPAC was founded by Governor Pierre S. ‘Pete’ duPont of Delaware before Representative Newt Gingrich of Georgia took the reigns. Hendren returned to serve as the Chief of Staff for Illinois State Senate Minority Leader James ‘Pate’ Philip (1987-2003), taking a hiatus to run Edgar’s successful 1990 election campaign, first against conservative Steven Baer in the Republican primary, then against the Attorney General, Neil Hartigan. It was a classic political contest, going down to the wire.
Subject Headings/Key Words: Governor Jim Edgar; Governor Jim Thompson; James ‘Pate’ Philip; Senator Charles H. Percy; Neil Hartigan; GOPAC (GOP Action Committee); Newt Gingrich; 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention; George Ryan; Jerry Cosentino; Max Coffey; Paul Simon; Mike Lawrence: Brenda Edgar; Bob Kustra; Steven Baer
Note to the Reader: Readers of the oral history memoir should bear in mind that this is a transcript of the spoken word, and that the interviewer, interviewee and editor sought to preserve the informal, conversational style that is inherent in such historical sources. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is not responsible for the factual accuracy of the memoir, nor for the views expressed therein. We leave these for the reader to judge.
COPYRIGHT
The following material can be used for educational and other non-commercial purposes without the written permission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. “Fair use” criteria of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 must be followed. These materials are not to be deposited in other repositories, nor used for resale or commercial purposes without the authorization from the Audio-Visual Curator at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. Telephone (217) 785-7955