Author Tracy Campbell to lecture at UVa-Wise on election fraud

Tracy Campbell, professor of history at the University of Kentucky and co-director of the Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center, will visit The University of Virginia’s College at Wise to lecture on the role of fraud in American elections.

Campbell’s timely address, "Reclaiming Democracy: American Elections, Past and Present," will include examples of election fraud in Virginia and the nation. He will share his concerns as the nation prepares for Election Day on Nov. 4. In his address, Campbell will offer provocative suggestions he has on ways to make elections fairer and more democratic.

The lecture is set for Friday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of All Faiths.

Campbell is the author of “Deliver the Vote: A History of Election Fraud, an American Political Tradition, 1742-2004.” He also wrote “The Politics of Despair: Power and Resistance in the Tobacco Wars” and “Short of the Glory: The Fall and Redemption of Edward F. Pritchard, Jr.,” which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He penned a textbook on Kentucky history for elementary students.

He specializes in 20th century United States political, social and cultural history. He lectures widely on issues involving election integrity and political history.

The director of undergraduate studies in the History Department at UK, Campbell also served as the George McGovern Visiting Professor of Public Leadership at Dakota Wesleyan University.

As co-director of the Ford Center, Campbell organized symposia and lectures linking history with current public policy debates. Former Vice President Walter Mondale, former presidential candidate George McGovern, former senator Walter Huddleston and historians Donald Ritchie and Timothy Tyson have participated in the symposia and lectures.

Campbell’s latest research project is a history of the St. Louis Gateway Arch. His research delves into the arch’s history, including political corruption, the New Deal and architecture.

UVa-Wise students receive cultural credit for attending the lecture.

Posted October 6, 2008