A. James Manchin
Encyclopedia
Antonio James Manchin I — known as A. James Manchin — 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 III.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy
appointed him to serve as State Director of the Farmers Home Administration
and he served at the federal level as Special Assistant to the National Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration, holding those positions until 1972. Governor Arch A. Moore in 1973 appointed him to direct the Rehabilitation Environmental Action Program, a successful effort which rid the State of more than 100,000 junked cars as well as numerous appliances.
In 1976, Manchin was elected to the first of two terms as Secretary of State, an office that was mainly ceremonial. Elected State Treasurer in 1984, he created the Teddi Program which brought 28,000 new jobs to West Virginia. 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. The impeachment resolution blamed Manchin for negligence in delegating and supervising the investment fund, making improper investments and covering up losses. He initially vowed to stay in office though conviction by the Senate would have meant losing his eligibility to run for office again, and could have cost him his pension. He resigned before his trial by the state Senate was completed.
He later returned to public life by being elected to the House of Delegates in 1998, where he served until his death in 2003. 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.
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician who served as a member of the House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
(1948-50; 1998-2003), as Secretary of State (1977-85), and as State Treasurer
State Treasurer
In the state governments of the United States, 49 of the 50 states have the executive position of treasurer. Texas abolished the position of Texas State Treasurer in 1996....
(1985-89). A colorful and controversial figure, he was the uncle of former West Virginia Governor and current U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III.
Early life and education
Manchin was born in Farmington, West Virginia to Kathleen and Joseph Manchin. He attended local public schools then West Virginia University, Fairmont State College and Villanova, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in political science, sociology and education.Career
Manchin was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1948 at age 21, but was defeated in his bid for re-election in 1950. He spent most of the 1950s working as a high school teacher and wrestling coach.In 1961, President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
appointed him to serve as State Director of the Farmers Home Administration
Farmers Home Administration
In 1946 Farmers Home Administration replaced the Farm Security Administration which superseded the Resettlement Administration. Its mission and programs involved extending credit for agriculture and rural development. Direct and guaranteed credit went to individual farmers, low-income families,...
and he served at the federal level as Special Assistant to the National Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration, holding those positions until 1972. Governor Arch A. Moore in 1973 appointed him to direct the Rehabilitation Environmental Action Program, a successful effort which rid the State of more than 100,000 junked cars as well as numerous appliances.
In 1976, Manchin was elected to the first of two terms as Secretary of State, an office that was mainly ceremonial. Elected State Treasurer in 1984, he created the Teddi Program which brought 28,000 new jobs to West Virginia. He was impeached
Impeachment in the United States
Impeachment in the United States is an expressed power of the legislature that allows for formal charges against a civil officer of government for crimes committed in office...
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. The impeachment resolution blamed Manchin for negligence in delegating and supervising the investment fund, making improper investments and covering up losses. He initially vowed to stay in office though conviction by the Senate would have meant losing his eligibility to run for office again, and could have cost him his pension. He resigned before his trial by the state Senate was completed.
He later returned to public life by being elected to the House of Delegates in 1998, where he served until his death in 2003. 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.
Personal life
Manchin was married to Stella Machel Petros and had three children. A Roman Catholic, he served as a lector at his church.Further reading
- Icenhower, Greg (1990), A. James Manchin: A Biography of Controversy; Headline Books, 212 pgs.
External links
- A. James Manchin at The Political GraveyardThe Political GraveyardThe Political Graveyard is a website and database that catalogues information on more than 224,000 American political figures and political families, along with other information.-History:...
- Rehabilitation Environmental Action Program (REAP)