Summary Information

Title: Dick Thornburgh Papers, Series XIV. Campaign for United States Senate
Collection Number: AIS.1998.30.14
Creator: Thornburgh, Dick

Collection Dates: 1991
Extent: 60.0 linear feet

Language: English

Abstract:

When Dick Thornburgh resigned as Attorney General of the United States in early August 1991 only three months remained before Election Day. His opponent, Harris Wofford, had been appointed interim senator by Pennsylvania Governor Casey after the tragic death of U.S. Senator John Heinz. Thornburgh's announcement speech touched upon his ability to effectively represent Pennsylvania's interests in Washington. The Wofford campaign focused almost exclusively on the issue of health-care reform. Even with a successful gubernatorial record to remind voters of, Thornburgh's messages were subsumed in larger national issues and Wofford handily won, his election seen as a wake-up call to Washington. The extent of voter discontent was seen in President Bush's subsequent defeat in the 1992 presidential election. The Thornburgh campaign files include extensive research on all issues, media ads (both transcripts and online videos), debate preparation and transcripts. The files are in the following sections: Speeches; News Releases; Campaign in Progress; Questionnaires; Schedules and Events; Candidate Thornburgh's Files; Ginny Thornburgh Files; Issue Research; Wofford Opposition Research; News Clippings; Ephemera; and Kirkpatrick & Lockhart (K&L) Files. Digital reproductions of portions of the collection are available online.