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Hezekiah Wagstaff

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Hezekiah Wagstaff
Wagstaff in 1985
Assistant Press Secretary to the Governor of Alabama
In office
January 30, 1983 – November 14, 1985[nb 1]
GovernorGeorge Wallace
Press SecretaryBilly Joe Camp
Succeeded byFrank Mastin Jr.
Personal details
Born(1951-02-03)February 3, 1951
Uniontown, Alabama, U.S.
DiedJuly 7, 2016(2016-07-07) (aged 65)
Alabama, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materAlabama A&M University

Hezekiah Wagstaff (February 3, 1951 - July 7, 2016) was an American political consultant and activist from the state of Alabama. A member of the Democratic Party, he is most known for having served as Governor George Wallace's assistant press secretary from 1983 until his dismissal in 1985.[2] Wagstaff was replaced by Montgomery reporter Frank Mastin Jr. after a series of scandals and criticism of Governor Wallace.[1]

Biography

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In the 1970s, Wagstaff was the Alabama director of the Emergency Land Fund, a privately owned non-profit organization founded in 1971 to prevent the loss of minority-owned land to banks and corporations.[3][4] While working as a political consultant in 1980, he befriended Billy Joe Camp, then campaigning to become a commissioner on the Alabama Public Service Commission.[5] Upon Camp's election, Wagstaff became his administrative assistant.[6]

He became embroiled in controversy in 1982 for submitting a $393.95 meal and accommodation expense voucher despite meals being included in a convention registration fee.[7] A district attorney subpoenaed records, and Wagstaff repaid $186 to the state.[8]

Governor George Wallace appointed Wagstaff as assistant press secretary on January 30, 1983, upon Camp's recommendation.[5][9] In September 1984, it was revealed he had been convicted of driving without a license in 1980, 1981, and 1982, with his license suspended since 1977 for speeding.[10] On October 28, 1985, he was fired after accusing Governor Wallace of covering up disputes and attempting to transfer to the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs.[1]

Personal life

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Wagstaff married Altress Faye Rice on June 18, 1979, in Montgomery, Alabama.[11] In 1986 Rice accused Wagstaff of stabbing and beating her, leading him to be charged with third degree assault.[12] In 1993, he served jail time for writing bad checks.[13]

Footnotes

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  1. ^ Wagstaff officially left office on November 14. He was fired on October 28 and had been on paid leave for his final weeks in office.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Written at Montgomery, Alabama. "Reporter Named As Gov.'s New Press Secretary". Dothan Eagle (Broadsheet). Vol. 79, no. 43. Dothan, Alabama: Lee Enterprises. Associated Press. 1985-08-02. p. 13. ISSN 0745-855X. LCCN sn83007799. OCLC 9512126. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Frederick, Jeff (2007-11-11). Stand Up for Alabama: Governor George Wallace. University of Alabama Press. p. 390. ISBN 978-0-8173-1574-0.
  3. ^ Ehn, Jack (1977-12-18). "South Rising Again; so is Price of Land". The Selma Times-Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 150, no. 242. Selma, Alabama: Boone Newspapers. p. 2. ISSN 1043-9129. LCCN sn86050387. OCLC 14480779. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Sikora, Frank (1978-02-15). "Black Land Owners in South Drop". The News Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 93, no. 346. Mansfield, Ohio: Gannett. Newhouse News Service, a subsidiary of Advance Publications. p. 8. LCCN sn85042614. OCLC 12717053. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Wagstaff Admits Change". Focus on Alabama. Alabama Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 95, no. 204. Montgomery, Alabama: Journal Publishing Company. 1983-07-17. p. 5. ISSN 0745-323X. LCCN sn87062018. OCLC 2666111. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Alliance Plans to Challenge Power Firm's Fuel Charge". Alabama Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 93, no. 92. Montgomery, Alabama: Journal Publishing Company. 1981-05-11. p. 2. ISSN 0745-323X. LCCN sn87062018. OCLC 2666111. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Duvall, Sam (1982-03-04). "2 PSC Employees Bill State for Meals". The Montgomery Advertiser (Broadsheet). Vol. 155, no. 45. Montgomery, Alabama: Gannett. pp. 1, 2. ISSN 2993-9143. LCCN sn84020645. OCLC 2685433 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "PSC Commissioner Folsom Suspends Feuding Aids; Hearing Set Monday". Alabama Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 94, no. 50. Montgomery, Alabama: Journal Publishing Company. Associated Press. 1982-03-12. p. 1. ISSN 0745-323X. LCCN sn87062018. OCLC 2666111. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Funk, Tim (1983-01-30). "Here are Members of Governor's Staff". The Anniston Star (Broadsheet). Vol. 104, no. 30. Anniston, Alabama: Consolidated Publishing Co. p. 63. LCCN sn85045157. OCLC 12961379. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Ford, Bessie (1984-06-19). "Aide Drove Without License". Alabama Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 96, no. 188. Montgomery, Alabama: Journal Publishing Company. United Press International. p. 1. ISSN 0745-323X. LCCN sn87062018. OCLC 2666111. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Marriage Licenses". County Records. Alabama Journal (Broadsheet). Vol. 91, no. 127. Montgomery, Alabama: Journal Publishing Company. 1979-06-27. p. 46. ISSN 0745-323X. LCCN sn87062018. OCLC 2666111. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Affidavits show wagstaff allegedly beat his wife". The Montgomery Advertiser. 1986-09-29. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  13. ^ "Former Wallace Aide released from Autauga jail". The Montgomery Advertiser. 1993-02-05. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
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