OHD-010. Kil Townsend interviewed by Sheryl Vogt on November 17, 2006.
Richard B. Russell Library Director Sheryl Vogt interviews Kil Townsend about his life as a lawyer, businessman, author, and maverick Republican legislator in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1965 to 1992. Townsend discusses his early work developing the Republican Party in Georgia and supporting Repblican candidates such as Eisenhower and Bo Callaway. Townsend also discusses the careers of Dick Freeman and Rodney Cook and his initial run for the newly created Buckhead seat in the State House. He explains how his support of seating Julian Bond invited racially-focused criticism from early Georgia Republicans. Townsend reflects on his legislative fights regarding pensions, abortion, infrastructure, and teachers. He discusses the large number of counties in Georgia, how the county unit system influenced that number, and efforts to consolidate counties in Georgia. Townsend comments on being reelected, campaign contributions, and mobile home manufacturing. Townsend reflects on current affairs issues such as the wars in the Middle East, party politics in America, and international trade.
This video is from the Oral History Documentary Collection at the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries.