A document of Wilder's U.S Senate Candidacy Announcement stating his accomplishments as well as hopes for Virginia's future.

Governor Wilder demonstrated his advocacy trait for the right cause and his desire to actively confront his fears about becoming a politician. He believed in the change that is possible with active political involvement as criticizing and complaining alone would not bring about improvement for people. The Governor noted he was not a fan of sitting and waiting to make things happen. The Governor showed as strong spirit in taking action and that character propelled him into the Virginia State Senate race in 1969 though he was urged not to run. His had a firm belief in working together to develop Virginia’s democracy. His five-year terms with hard work and dedication as a Virginia State Senator was recognized as one of the Senate most effective legislators. He achieved numerous feats, such as sponsoring the State’s first drug paraphernalia and compulsory school attendance law, toughened penalties for capital murder by requiring more time served and prison escapees, Virginia Housing law which was passed. His persistence also saw the declaration of a holiday for Martin Luther King. 

Governor Wilder's speech at the Commonwealth address at the state capitol in Richmond on January 12, 1994.

Governor Wilder made this speech at the Commonwealth address at the state capitol in Richmond on January 12, 1994. He highlighted his self-belief and confidence in his vision for Virginia, which was about keeping to his promise as oppose to his doubters during his 1990 speech about the uncertainties surrounding the state with economic challenges. The Governor showed how blind optimism and procrastination characterized the 1980s as many believed that the good times will be eternal. He acknowledged that he and the people faced the fiscal crisis together and succeeded. He showed gratitude for the sacrifices that many made, such as putting their priorities aside to create the reserve fund that he requested. When asked whether he would have preferred to have been governor at the different time in history, the Governor expressed appreciation to have served Virginia in that capacity during that time. 

Remarks made to the Society of Professional Journalist by Wilder in hopes to raise the idea of how everybody talks about the growth of government and questions who talks about the significant and expensive growth of the electoral process. 

These were remarks made to the Society of Professional Journalists on November 19, 1994. He raised the idea of how everybody talks about the growth of government and questions who talks about the significant and expensive growth of the electoral process. He noted politics as a major business. He indicated that it would be sufficient to discuss the things that occurred in Virginia and the country for the that moment.

A letter from the United Negro College Fund Inc., where the Governor Wilder was appreciated for his participation in the United Negro College Fund’s Fiftieth Anniversary symposium in Dallas, Texas.

In a letter from the United Negro College Fund Inc., the Governor Wilder was appreciated for his participation in the United Negro College Fund’s Fiftieth Anniversary symposium in Dallas, Texas. The Governor made insightful and timely remarks. He addressed critical issues facing Historically Black Colleges and Universities as they prepare for the 21st century. The organization also enclosed his transcript for editing so that it could be published. 

Newspaper clipping of conspiracies that Wilder may run for senate independently.

This photograph includes a newspaper clipping of former Governor Wilder of Virginia regarding rumors of him running for Senate again. This newspaper clipping was written by Drummond Ayres Jr. Governor Wilder was known for his incredible efforts in supporting and aiding the Commonwealth. However, this newspaper clipping includes a section on Wilder's chances of winning the election and the unhappiness of voters regarding who is currently running for a seat in Virginia's senate. L. Douglas Wilder believed that it was in the best interest of the commonwealth and the unhappiness of the voters regarding the incumbents on the ballot to jump into the race as a moderate Democrat.

This is a newspaper clipping of Wilder joining the race for Virginia Senator position.

Governor Wilder joined the race for Virginia Senator position five months later after he declined running. He showed his popularity for the seat on the last day of nominations to run as an independent candidate with about 34,000 signatures from registered voters, which more than doubled the required signatures to qualify. He ran against Democrat Charles S. Robb, Republican Oliver L. North, and independent J. Marshall Coleman. His decision to run on an independent ticket other than his Democratic Party did not prevent him from voting in the Democratic Party primary. Governor Wilder did not disclose who he voted although he called Robb unfit for public office. The Governor had opposed the Democratic Party to holding a close convention instead of a primary to nominate their candidate.

This is a newspaper clipping of Wilder joining the race for Virginia Senator position.

Governor Wilder joined the race for Virginia Senator position five months later after he declined running. He showed his popularity for the seat on the last day of nominations to run as an independent candidate with about 34,000 signatures from registered voters, which more than doubled the required signatures to qualify. He ran against Democrat Charles S. Robb, Republican Oliver L. North, and independent J. Marshall Coleman. His decision to run on an independent ticket other than his Democratic Party did not prevent him from voting in the Democratic Party primary. Governor Wilder did not disclose who he voted although he called Robb unfit for public office. The Governor had opposed the Democratic Party to holding a close convention instead of a primary to nominate their candidate.

This is a newspaper clipping of Wilder joining the race for Virginia Senator position.

Governor Wilder joined the race for Virginia Senator position five months later after he declined running. He showed his popularity for the seat on the last day of nominations to run as an independent candidate with about 34,000 signatures from registered voters, which more than doubled the required signatures to qualify. He ran against Democrat Charles S. Robb, Republican Oliver L. North, and independent J. Marshall Coleman. His decision to run on an independent ticket other than his Democratic Party did not prevent him from voting in the Democratic Party primary. Governor Wilder did not disclose who he voted although he called Robb unfit for public office. The Governor had opposed the Democratic Party to holding a close convention instead of a primary to nominate their candidate. 

This is a newspaper clipping of Wilder joining the race for Virginia Senator position.

Governor Wilder joined the race for Virginia Senator position five months later after he declined running. He showed his popularity for the seat on the last day of nominations to run as an independent candidate with about 34,000 signatures from registered voters, which more than doubled the required signatures to qualify. He ran against Democrat Charles S. Robb, Republican Oliver L. North, and independent J. Marshall Coleman. His decision to run on an independent ticket other than his Democratic Party did not prevent him from voting in the Democratic Party primary. Governor Wilder did not disclose who he voted although he called Robb unfit for public office. The Governor had opposed the Democratic Party to holding a close convention instead of a primary to nominate their candidate.

A paper on Wilder's remarks on the state of the well being of Virginia and what can be done to improve Virginia.

Governor Wilder highlighted the successes of Virginia on different fronts amidst the challenges of deep recession and strong competition from other states. He noted the need to not be complacent and to keep working hard. He spoke on the state’s preparation for defense cuts as those communities and industries affected by those cuts would need help. The Governor was successful in his quest for resources to support small to medium scale defense contractors from the National Governors Association. He also recalled his action to instruct his Secretary of Commerce and Trade to lead a taskforce on defense conversion to derive goods and direct their implementation. Under his leadership, the state also reached out to new markets to Virginia’s trade as well as attracting high-tech industry through innovative and appropriate legislation. 

This is a paper on Governor Wilder's commitment on fighting crime in Virginia and having proposals for those who continually contribute to crime and violence in the state. 

Here, Governor Wilder discussed his commitment on fighting crime in Virginia and having proposals for those who continually contribute to crime and violence in the state. He highlighted how in 1971 he championed the first drug paraphernalia law in the state. He was successful in gaining passage of law on background check and waiting period for the purchase of weapons in the state. He also noted how he sponsored the policy to revise laws dealing with juvenile youthful drug offenders in 1978. This sought to bring about changes in approaches to dealing with youth violence and drug abuse. His interest in address the drug problems saw him conveyed the first in a series of summits focusing on drug enforcement and prosecution.

This is a paper on Governor Wilder speaking on his administration’s achievement in reforming health and welfare in Virginia as a health and welfare advocate.

Governor Wilder spoke on his administration’s achievement in reforming health and welfare in Virginia as a health and welfare advocate. During his time Virginia was leading state in expanding access to health and simultaneously keep down healthcare cost. He also reformed the welfare system. He had a goal of making Virginians healthier and improved their self-sufficiency. His administration lessened the cost and burden of child healthcare by enrolling more uninsured children into the health care services. He also contained health care cost in the state.

This is a newspaper clipping of a cartoon drawing of Wilder getting critism from Al Gore.

Governor Wilder joined the race for Virginia Senator position five months later after he declined running. He showed his popularity for the seat on the last day of nominations to run as an independent candidate with about 34,000 signatures from registered voters, which more than doubled the required signatures to qualify. He ran against Democrat Charles S. Robb, Republican Oliver L. North, and independent J. Marshall Coleman. His decision to run on an independent ticket other than his Democratic Party did not prevent him from voting in the Democratic Party primary. Governor Wilder did not disclose who he voted although he called Robb unfit for public office. The Governor had opposed the Democratic Party to holding a close convention instead of a primary to nominate their candidate.

This is a document of the pardoning of Earl Washington Jr. from Death Penalty by Governor Wilder.

Governor Wilder granted conditional pardon to Earl Washington Jr. He utilized the powers granted upon him as Governor of Virginia under Article V, Section 12 of the Constitution of Virginia. Earl Washington Jr was found guilty in the Circuit Court of the County of Culpepper of premeditated murder of Rebecca Lynn Williams after rape. He was found guilty by a jury of his peers and found guilty as charged a fixed his penalty at death. Earl Washington’s record were reviewed and found his trials and appeals to have been fairly done. Additional evidence was later discovered and made available resulting from the initiatives of the Attorney General’s Office. But the Earl Washington’s counsel and Attorney General’s Office indicated that according to precedents court cannot consider such newly discovered evidence under Virginia law. 

This is a document of the pardoning of Earl Washington Jr. from Death Penalty by Governor Wilder.

This was the legal document that Earl Washington Jr signed accepting the conditional pardon by Governor Wilder on January 14, 1994. He agreed to the conditions included in the pardon. He was found guilty of premediated murder and rape of Rebecca Lynn Williams by a jury of his peers. This was also signed by the Governor. 

This is a document of the pardoning of Earl Washington Jr. from Death Penalty by Governor Wilder.

This was a letter written to Governor Wilder regarding Earl Washington’s conviction and imposed death penalty. It detailed how Washington was convicted solely on a police confession. The law enforcement officers had secured from Washington a waiver of his Miranda rights. Following a cruelling police interrogation he answered yes to the question of whether he killed the girl in Culpepper. The jury never heard the initial answers to the police questions. Also, Washington ended up on death row for lack of effective counsel assistance. His court appointed lawyer never utilized any mental health professionals to evaluate him. His trial attorney did not show how the jury how the law enforcement officers obtained information from him.