Gus Savage: Difference between revisions
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'''Augustus Alexander Savage''' (born [[October 30]] [[1925]]) is a former [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] from [[Illinois]]. |
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Savage was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]] and graduated from [[Roosevelt University]]. |
Savage was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]] and graduated from [[Roosevelt University]]. He served in the [[United States Army]] from 1943 to 1946. He worked as a journalist from 1954 to 1979, owning a chain of community weekly newspapers in the [[Chicago]] area. He was unsuccessful in his candidacy for the House of Representatives in [[United States House elections, 1968|1968]] and [[United States House elections, 1970|1970]], losing the Democratic primary both times. Savage won election to the House in [[United States House elections, 1980|1980]], representing the [[Illinois' 2nd congressional district|2nd District]] on Chicago's south side. He caused some controversy as he claimed that only white people could be racist, while also making statements against both white and [[Jew]]ish people that were considered to be racist and [[antisemitism|anti-semitic]]. In [[1989]], Savage was accused of trying to force himself on a female [[Peace Corps]] worker in [[Zaire]]. Savage denied these allegations and blamed it on the "racist press." In January 1990, the [[United States House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct|House Ethics Committee]] decided that the events did occur, but it did not take disciplinary action because Savage wrote a letter of apology to the woman. |
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Before the [[1992]] election, his district was |
Savage had long been controversial even in his own district, never winning a primary election with more than 52% of the vote, and usually facing multiple challengers. Before the [[United States House elections, 1992|1992]] election, his district was extended further into Chicago's south suburbs due to [[redistricting]], and Savage faced [[Mel Reynolds]] in the primary election; Reynolds had previously challenged Savage in [[United States House elections, 1988|1988]] and [[United States House elections, 1990|1990]]. Savage claimed that "racist Jews" were donating to Reynolds, and that Reynolds was involved in a drive-by shooting, which some aides claimed happened due to Savage's remarks. Savage accused Reynolds of staging the shooting, but lost the election by a margin of 63%-37%. |
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==External links== |
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*{{CongBio|S000081}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1925 births]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois |
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois]] |
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[[Category:Chicago politicians]] |
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[[Category:African Americans in the United States Congress|Savage, Gus]] |
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[[Category:African |
[[Category:African Americans in the United States Congress]] |
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[[Category:American newspaper editors]] |
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[[Category:American military personnel of World War II]] |
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[[Category:United States Army soldiers]] |
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[[Category:Antisemitism]] |
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Revision as of 00:36, 26 July 2007
Augustus Alexander Savage (born October 30 1925) is a former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois.
Savage was born in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Roosevelt University. He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946. He worked as a journalist from 1954 to 1979, owning a chain of community weekly newspapers in the Chicago area. He was unsuccessful in his candidacy for the House of Representatives in 1968 and 1970, losing the Democratic primary both times. Savage won election to the House in 1980, representing the 2nd District on Chicago's south side. He caused some controversy as he claimed that only white people could be racist, while also making statements against both white and Jewish people that were considered to be racist and anti-semitic. In 1989, Savage was accused of trying to force himself on a female Peace Corps worker in Zaire. Savage denied these allegations and blamed it on the "racist press." In January 1990, the House Ethics Committee decided that the events did occur, but it did not take disciplinary action because Savage wrote a letter of apology to the woman.
Savage had long been controversial even in his own district, never winning a primary election with more than 52% of the vote, and usually facing multiple challengers. Before the 1992 election, his district was extended further into Chicago's south suburbs due to redistricting, and Savage faced Mel Reynolds in the primary election; Reynolds had previously challenged Savage in 1988 and 1990. Savage claimed that "racist Jews" were donating to Reynolds, and that Reynolds was involved in a drive-by shooting, which some aides claimed happened due to Savage's remarks. Savage accused Reynolds of staging the shooting, but lost the election by a margin of 63%-37%.
External links
- United States Congress. "Gus Savage (id: S000081)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.