His Loss Was Turned Into a Win: Racist Smears Cost Fletcher Election, But Formed a Career
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Authors
Geranios, Nicholas K.
Yakima Herald-Republic
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AF reflects on 1968 loss of Lt. Governors campaign due to a racist smear campaign scaring voters into believing the Black Panthers would assassinate Evans to put AF in top spot amongst other tactics. 20 years later, recovering in Yakima after triple-bypass surgery following his second heart attack (the third article to refer to a previous 1983 heart attack), AF blames racist John Birchers from Yakima for his 1968 LG loss. Says that they distributed a pamphlet picturing him mowing his lawn in a sweaty t-shirt with the caption "Meet your new governor," claiming a GOP conspiracy to make him governor after Evans presumably won a federal appointment. Also comments on the genesis of Brown v. Board among Washburn Blacks in a barroom.