Former Gov. George Wallace’s presidential campaign manager passes away at 93
Charlie Snider/Courtesy: Family
The man who ran former Gov. George Wallace’s presidential campaigns in the 1970s has died.
Charles Samuel “Charlie” Snider Sr., of Montgomery, managed Gov. Wallace’s 1972 and 1976 presidential campaigns and served as director of the Alabama Development Office under Gov. Fob James.
According to his family, Snider passed away in Montgomery on Monday, December 1, at the age of 93.
Snider owned and operated a successful construction business when he was asked to coordinate transportation and travel for Wallace’s third-party bid for president in 1968.
Officials say his political judgments, diplomacy, and skills at dealing with various personalities soon became apparent, so he was promoted to national chairman of Wallace’s 1972 and 1976 presidential campaigns.
He also helped in Wallace’s 1970 and 1974 gubernatorial campaigns.
When an assassination attempt ended Wallace’s candidacy in the 1972 Democratic presidential primaries, Snider was approached by President Richard Nixon and assisted former Texas governor and U.S. Treasury Secretary John Connolly in setting up the “Democrats for Nixon” campaign committee.
As a result of his efforts, President Nixon offered Snider an appointment to the Federal Trade Commission, but he declined the position because Wallace was preparing another presidential run.
He worked as a Southern Political Strategist in the 1980 Republican presidential primary run of his close friend, George H.W. Bush, and also held the title of Regional Southern Strategist in the Reagan/Bush campaign later that year.
In addition to serving as ADO director under Gov. James, Snider was president of the State Industrial Development Authority and held seats on the Alabama Supercomputer Authority Board and the Tombigbee Waterway Development Council.
For several years, Snider worked as a senior consultant with the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and was chairman of the Business Center of Alabama.
Snider is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Nancy, and his daughter Susan Kennedy. He was predeceased by his son Charles Samuel “Chuck” Snider Jr., parents Forest and Marie Snider, and brother Bill Snider.
Snider’s visitation will take place on Tuesday, December 9 at Frazer Church in Montgomery. His Celebration of Life service will immediately follow at 2 p.m. Interment will take place at Alabama Heritage Cemetery.
