Rufus Edmisten was born in 1941 in Boone, N.C. He graduated from Appalachian High School in 1959, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1963, and George Washington University School of Law in 1966. Edmisten spent the first twelve years of his political career as an aide to Senator Sam J. Ervin Jr. In 1974, he returned to North Carolina to run for attorney general, an office he held until 1983. He was the 1984 Democratic candidate for governor, but did not win the election. In 1988, he returned to political life and ran successfully for North Carolina secretary of state. Edmisten retired from public office in 1996. The collection consists of correspondence, clippings, printed materials, speeches, and campaign and other materials relating to Rufus Edmisten's career in government service. Chronological files document Edmisten's school life and his political career as an aide to Senator Sam J. Ervin Jr., most notably his work as deputy chief counsel of the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, and in his positions as attorney general, Democratic candidate for governor, and secretary of state for North Carolina. Watergate materials are chiefly carbon copies and photocopies, and include correspondence, chiefly with the general public, but also with others, such as Arthur S. Miller, who were involved in the investigation; background research materials; and interoffice communications about staff operations. The original subpoenas delivered to President Richard Nixon and the original of John Dean's copy of the and related memos from Charles Colson, Jack Caulfield, Gordon Strachan, and George T. Bell are also included. Other topics include civil rights for Native Americans; a Princeville, N.C., investigation into racial discrimination in voting; Ervin's position on the independence of the judiciary; Democratic campaigning and the North Carolina Democratic Party; the Iran-Contra hearings; Edmisten's friendship with President Bill Clinton; a 1994 audit and 1996 investigation of the office of the secretary of state; and the Foundation for Good Business. Subject files include a scrapbook of clippings about the Wilmington 10; retrospective materials about the Watergate scandal, including plans for a committee staff reunion; and biographical information, including an interview that aired on . There is also a recording of Edmisten singing with the Charlie Albertson Band. Photographs include portraits and snapshots, chiefly of Edmisten and political and social events from throughout his career, including the Watergate hearings, campaigning, and visiting the White House as a guest of President Bill Clinton. enemies list North Carolina People with William Friday The Wild Side of Life
