Lee Atwater | |
---|---|
![]() Atwater in 1983 | |
Chair of the Republican National Committee | |
In office January 18, 1989 – January 25, 1991 | |
Preceded by | Frank Fahrenkopf |
Succeeded by | Clay Yeutter |
Personal details | |
Born | Harvey LeRoy Atwater February 27, 1951 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Died | March 29, 1991 Washington, D.C., U.S. | (aged 40)
Cause of death | Brain cancer |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Sally Dunbar (m. 1978) |
Children | 3 |
Education | Newberry College (BA) University of South Carolina (MA) |
Harvey LeRoy "Lee" Atwater (February 27, 1951 – March 29, 1991) was an American political consultant and strategist for the Republican Party. He was an adviser to Republican U.S. presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush and chairman of the Republican National Committee. Atwater aroused controversy through his aggressive campaign tactics, especially the Southern strategy.