Edmisten, Rufus, 1941-

Rufus Leigh Edmisten was a North Carolina attorney general, Democratic candidate for governor, and secretary of state. Born 12 July 1941 in Boone, N.C., Edmisten began his political career early by serving as student body president at Appalachian High School in 1959, the same year he graduated. He then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a B.A. in political science and religious studies in 1963.

Edmisten next attended the George Washington University School of Law in Washington, D.C. He joined the staff of North Carolina Senator Sam J. Ervin Jr. while still attending law school at night. When Edmisten graduated from law school in 1966, Senator Ervin appointed him counsel for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights. Edmisten specialized in civil rights legislation, especially for Native Americans, and the separation of church and state. In 1969, Senator Ervin named him chief counsel and staff director for the Subcommittee on Separation of Powers.

Edmisten's time on Capital Hill culminated with his appointment in 1972 as deputy chief counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, popularly known as the Watergate Committee. As part of his work on the committee, Edmisten served the subpoena to President Nixon for the tapes of recorded White House conversations that provided evidence of the cover-up of the Watergate break-in and the ensuing destruction of evidence and intimidation of witnesses. It was the first time in history that a congressional committee had served a subpoena on a sitting president.

Edmisten left Washington in 1974 and returned to North Carolina, where he was elected state attorney general. Edmisten's legislative interests in this position included protection of victims' and witness' rights. He was reelected attorney general in 1976 and again in 1980. In 1984, he won the Democratic nomination for governor, but ultimately lost to Republican James G. Martin.

After his failed gubernatorial campaign, Edmisten practiced law in Raleigh with Regan H. Weaver for four years. In 1988, he was elected secretary of state and was reelected in 1992. As secretary of state, his accomplishments included the creation of the Foundation for Good Business and working with the General Assembly to establish Limited Liability Corporations in North Carolina. His second term was tainted by a critical review by the state auditor in 1994 and a full-scale investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation in 1996. The investigation, which focused on use of state vehicles, telephones, and employee time for political activity and personal favors, ended with no charges filed against the secretary of state.

Edmisten retired from public office in 1996 and started a government relations legal practice called Edmisten, Webb and Moore. Outside of his legal practice, he continued to lead the Extra Special Super Kids (ESSK) program of the Foundation for Good Business. ESSK offers college scholarships and educational opportunities to underprivileged students.

Rufus Edmisten's first marriage to Jane Moretz ended in divorce in 1981. He has been married to Linda Harris since 1983.

From the guide to the Rufus Edmisten Papers, 1939-2009, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)