- Collection:
- Reflections on Georgia Politics oral history collection, 2006-2010
- Title:
- Matt Towery, 16 October 2009.
- Creator:
- Towery, Matt A., 1959
Short, Bob, 1932 - Contributor to Resource:
- Short, Bob, 1932-
- Date of Original:
- 2009-10-16
- Subject:
- Georgia--General Assembly--House of Representatives
Republican Party (Ga.)
Political campaigns--Georgia
Legislators--Georgia
Conservatism--Georgia
Conservatism
Legislators
Political campaigns
Race relations
Georgia--Race relations
Georgia - People:
- Maddox, Lester, 1915-2003
Gingrich, Newt
Towery, Matt A., 1959-
Miller, Zell, 1932-2018
Mattingly, Mack, 1931- - Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
- Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
interviews - Type:
- MovingImage
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- Finding aid available in repository.
Matt Towery discusses his early life including the influence of the Civil War on his family's history. He recalls attending Pace University and the origin of his friendship with Lester Maddox. Towery recalls being an unofficial page for Lieutenant Governor Maddox. He recalls attending the University of Georgia and how that influenced his political career. Towery recalls meeting Jimmy Carter and his tumultuous relationship with Lester Maddox. He weighs in on Maddox's reputation as a racist. Towery discusses meeting Burt Lance, Mack Mattingly, and Newt Gingrich. He recalls his experience with the Conservative Opportunity Society and the Contract with America. He recalls the friendship between Mattingly and Gingrich. Towery discusses his early frustration with the Republican party and the formation of the Campaign for Georgia's future. He also recalls his failed campaign for lieutenant governor and his subsequent friendship with Johnny Isakson. Towery also discusses his relationship with Zell Miller and weighs in on the state flag issue. He recalls helping Guy Millner prepare for debate against Zell Miller in 1994. Towery recalls Newt Gingrich's resignation from Congress and his personal experience working in legislature, at a law firm, and at the family printing company. He also comments on Sarah Palin's presence on the Republican ticket in 2008 and on party politics in Georgia.
Interviewed by Bob Short.
Matthew Towery was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1959. While still in elementary school he became an unofficial page for Governor Lester Maddox and continued in an official capacity during Maddox's term as lieutenant governor. He attended the University of Georgia, and in 1980 became a speech writer in Mack Mattingly's successful run for senate. He received a degree in foreign affairs at Cambridge University in England and graduated from Stetson University Law School in Florida. In 1989 with the encouragement of Newt Gingrich, Towery started the Campaign for Georgia's Future, and the next year ran an unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor. In 1992, he served as Gingrich's campaign chairman for his successful race for the U.S. House of Representatives. Towery won a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives, making him the first Republican to preside over the Democratic House. He left politics in 1997. He was CEO of Color Graphics, a printing company, and sold it in 1997. He then served as chairman and CEO of InsiderAdvantage.com. - Metadata URL:
- http://purl.libs.uga.edu/russell/RBRL220ROGP-089/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 089, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.
- Extent:
- 1 interview (101 min.) : sd., col.
- Original Collection:
- Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection
http://sclfind.libs.uga.edu/sclfind/view?docId=ead/RBRL220ROGP.xml - Contributing Institution:
- Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
- Rights:
-
