On Friday, November 8, former Maryland delegate and St. Paul’s alumnus, Charley Mitchell (‘73) shared his experience during the 1980 Presidential Election. To begin, Mr. Mitchell discussed his early political life. At the young age of 26, he ran for delegate to the 7th Congressional District of Maryland. He campaigned door to door distributing flyers and called known Republican voters asking for their vote in the upcoming election. His efforts won him the third spot in the district. Shortly after his victory, Larry Hogan Sr., the father of then young and politically untested Larry Hogan Jr., called him to solicit his support in the next election. Mr. Mitchell promised his aid publicly, but, during his Friday discussion, admitted his regret for this decision. Unfortunately, by connecting himself with another political entity, he attracted unwanted attention from reporters and the local press.
Mr. Mitchell, a Republican delegate, journeyed to the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit, Michigan. Prior to the event, he met with other Republican politicians to review the key issues they would analyze at the convention. Mr. Mitchell observed during the 1980 RNC that the Republican presidential nominee, Ronald Reagan, welcomed speakers from all delegations. This demonstrated the great diversity of supporters for Reagan. While in Detroit, Mitchell enjoyed dinner parties and other festivities as excitement grew. He noted that all Republican candidates received a pamphlet titled the Republican Platform, laying out all the policies and ideas that would unite the party. At the pinnacle moment of the convention, Mr. Mitchell heard Reagan’s nomination speech and joined the other delegates in congratulating the nominee.
When it came time for Reagan to pick his vice presidential running mate, Mr. Mitchell backed Texas Representative George H. W. Bush. He and some of his Republican colleagues carried a sign saying, “Maryland for Bush” and displayed it to television cameras. Reagan eventually picked George H. W. Bush as his vice president, and, as election day neared, anticipation rose among the Republican masses. In November of 1980, facing embattled incumbent President Jimmy Carter, Reagan won the election. Maryland remained true to its Democrat leanings and was one of only six states to back Carter. The celebratory inaugural ball featured Republicans from all over the country, including Mr. Mitchell and his Republican peers from Maryland. In reflection, Mr. Mitchell enjoyed his experience during the 1980 convention and election and recommended politics as an engaging and important career path.
Leave a Reply