Cliff Finch
Encyclopedia
Charles Clifton "Cliff" Finch (April 4, 1927 – April 22, 1986) was an American politician who was 56th Governor of the U.S. state of Mississippi
from 1976 to 1980.
. At the age of 18, he enlisted to fight in World War II; he participated in the Italian Campaign
as part of the 88th Infantry Division. After the war, Finch worked in construction on Guam
. He then attended the University of Mississippi
and graduated from its law school in 1958.
Finch entered politics and was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives
in 1960. He was elected district attorney for the Seventeenth judicial district in 1964 and re-elected in 1968. He was an unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor in 1971.
In 1975, Finch composed a coalition of African American and working class White voters in a populist
style campaign. Late in the campaign, as a way to show his concern for working people, he sacked groceries, drove bulldozers, and performed other jobs that are connected to ordinary people. This was an innovation in campaigning styles because television news organization were especially responsive to campaign events with interesting visual components. As another example, Finch's campaign slogan was "the working man's friend" and featured the letters on a black lunch box in drawings and placards. This campaign tactic proved to be popular as Finch was elected over Republican candidate Gil Carmichael and independent candidate Henry Kirksey. Carmichael did, however, draw 45 percent of the vote, an exceptionally high figure for a statewide Republican candidate at that time.
As Governor, Finch helped save Mississippi's savings and loan
industry from collapse and provided flood relief in 1979.
While still Governor, Finch ran for the United States Senate
in 1978 but he was defeated in the Democratic party Primary by Maurice Dantin.
After leaving office, Finch ran for President in 1980. He received 48,032 votes (0.3% of the Democratic primary vote total) in nine primaries. After his campaign for President ended, he returned to his law practice until his death on April 22, 1986 in Batesville, Mississippi
from a massive heart attack.
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
from 1976 to 1980.
Life and career
Finch was born in Pope, MississippiPope, Mississippi
Pope is a village in Panola County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 241 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pope is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
. At the age of 18, he enlisted to fight in World War II; he participated in the Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
as part of the 88th Infantry Division. After the war, Finch worked in construction on Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. He then attended the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
and graduated from its law school in 1958.
Finch entered politics and was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives
Mississippi House of Representatives
The Mississippi House of Representatives is the lower house of the Mississippi Legislature, the lawmaking body of the U.S. state of Mississippi....
in 1960. He was elected district attorney for the Seventeenth judicial district in 1964 and re-elected in 1968. He was an unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor in 1971.
In 1975, Finch composed a coalition of African American and working class White voters in a populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
style campaign. Late in the campaign, as a way to show his concern for working people, he sacked groceries, drove bulldozers, and performed other jobs that are connected to ordinary people. This was an innovation in campaigning styles because television news organization were especially responsive to campaign events with interesting visual components. As another example, Finch's campaign slogan was "the working man's friend" and featured the letters on a black lunch box in drawings and placards. This campaign tactic proved to be popular as Finch was elected over Republican candidate Gil Carmichael and independent candidate Henry Kirksey. Carmichael did, however, draw 45 percent of the vote, an exceptionally high figure for a statewide Republican candidate at that time.
As Governor, Finch helped save Mississippi's savings and loan
Savings and loan association
A savings and loan association , also known as a thrift, is a financial institution that specializes in accepting savings deposits and making mortgage and other loans...
industry from collapse and provided flood relief in 1979.
While still Governor, Finch ran for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 1978 but he was defeated in the Democratic party Primary by Maurice Dantin.
After leaving office, Finch ran for President in 1980. He received 48,032 votes (0.3% of the Democratic primary vote total) in nine primaries. After his campaign for President ended, he returned to his law practice until his death on April 22, 1986 in Batesville, Mississippi
Batesville, Mississippi
Batesville is a city in Panola County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,113 at the 2000 census.-History:The Land upon which present day Batesville is situated originally belonged to a Chickasaw Indian called Ish-Sho-Nu-Nah...
from a massive heart attack.