Ken Zehnder began his political work on the George H.W. Bush 1980 primary bid in Illinois, then spent the next eighteen years working with Jim Edgar, first as Secretary of State Edgar's scheduler, and following Edgar's successful bid for the governorship in 1990, as the Governor's assistant for Boards and Commissions. In 1995 Zehnder moved to the Department of Revenue, where he soon was appointed as the director.
Photos
Caption
Secretary of State Jim Edgar’s swearing-in ceremony in January, 1981. Governor Jim Thompson joins the Edgar family at the podium, with Chief Justice Joseph Goldenhersh on the right. Where:
Illinois State CapitalWhen:
January 1981Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Jim Edgar and Senator elect Alan Dixon, the former Secretary of State, with their transition teams in 1981. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1981Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Zehnder and fellow campaign workers share a lighter moment during Secretary of State Edgar’s campaign for election in the fall of 1982. Next to Zehnder is campaign office manager Nancy See. Where:
Edgar Campaign OfficeWhen:
Fall of 1982Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Ken Zehnder and trusty dog “Abe” at a Paul Findley campaign event in 1980. Findley was waging a successful campaign for the U.S. Congress. Where:
Paul Findley Campaign EventWhen:
1980Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Secretary of State Edgar and Ken Zehnder cool down after Jim won again at tennis. Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Secretary of State Edgar, who also served as the State Librarian in a photo promoting “Read Illinois.” The governor was a voracious reader of history and politics. Where:
Secretary of State's OfficeWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Secretary of State Edgar, in the center, admires the architecture at the IL state capital during a meeting with Missouri’s Secretary of State Roy Blunt, on the left, and Gov. John Ashcroft, also from Missouri, on the right, circa 1986. Where:
Illinois State CapitalWhen:
circa 1986Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
The Edgar family meets Vice President George H.W. Bush in 1988. Governor Edgar is holding Julie Castelloe (his goddaughter), with Elizabeth, Brenda and Brad joining in. Governor Edgar had endorsed Bush for President that day.Where:
UnknownWhen:
1988Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
President George Bush meets with Zehnder in the late 1980s. Zehnder had worked in candidate Bush’s presidential primary campaign in 1980. In the back right of the photo is Don Norton, Paul Findley’s COS for many years.Where:
UnknownWhen:
late 1980sOwnership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Colorado Secretary of State Natalie Meyer and Ken Zehnder in 1990 during Ken’s visit to Colorado when Edgar served as the President of the Secretary of State Association. While there, Gov. Thompson told Edgar he would not be running for reelection. Where:
ColoradoWhen:
1990Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Ken Zehnder at ease playing the guitar. Zehnder sometimes took up his guitar to help him relax and unwind.Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Election Night November 1990 at the Chicago Hyatt Hotel.
Governor and Mrs. Edgar are joined by Secretary of State staff members. Where:
Chicago Hyatt HotelWhen:
Election Night, November 1990Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Ken Zehnder talks with Secretary of State Edgar on Capitol grounds in the late 1980s. Where:
Illinois State CapitalWhen:
late 1980sOwnership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Gov. Jim Edgar and his staff on one of the countless trips around Illinois, circa 1991. From left to right are Tom Livingston, Martin Green, Gary Mack, the pilot and a state trooper. Where:
UnknownWhen:
circa 1991Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Former Governor Jim Edgar, Ken Zehnder and State Representative Bob Pritchard, circa 2008 Where:
UnknownWhen:
circa 2008Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Ken Zehnder, on the right, and another staffer met with U.S. House Minority Leader Bob Michel (Republican) in the mid 1980s. Where:
UnknownWhen:
mid-1980sOwnership:
Narrators photo
Caption
Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Ken Zehnder meet during a Republican presidential primary campaign visit in 1996. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1996Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Ken Zehnder and Janis Cellini, Edgar’s Personnel Director, meet with Edgar at the Governor’s Mansion. Where:
Governor's Mansion, Springfield, ILWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Ken and Lynn Zehnder at a Christmas Holiday Reception at while Edgar was Governor. Where:
Christmas Holiday ReceptionWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator
Caption
Governor Edgar and Revenue Director Zehnder share a moment in 1995. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1995Ownership:
Narrator’s photo