Charlie Snider Passes Away at 93
Strategist managed Gov. George Wallace’s 1972, 1976 Presidential campaigns
Charles Samuel "Charlie" Snider Sr. of Montgomery, who managed Gov. George Wallace's 1972 and 1976 presidential campaigns and served as Director of the Alabama Development Office under Gov. Fob James, passed away in Montgomery on Monday, December 1, at age 93, according to his family.
Snider owned and operated a successful construction business when he was asked to coordinate transportation and travel for Wallace's third-party bid for president in 1968. His political acumen, diplomacy, and skills at dealing with various personalities soon became apparent, so he was promoted to national chairman of Wallace's 1972 and 1976 presidential campaigns.
He was instrumental in Wallace's 1970 and 1974 gubernatorial campaigns, as well.
When an assassination attempt ended Wallace's candidacy in the 1972 Democratic presidential primaries, Snider was approached by President Richard Nixon and assisted former Texas governor and U.S. Treasury Secretary John Connolly in setting up the "Democrats for Nixon" campaign committee.
As a result of his efforts, President Nixon offered Snider an appointment to the Federal Trade Commission, but he declined the position because Wallace was preparing another presidential run.
He worked as a Southern Political Strategist in the 1980 Republican presidential primary run of his close friend, George H.W. Bush, and also held the title of Regional Southern Strategist in the Reagan/Bush campaign later that year.
In addition to serving as ADO director under Gov. James, Snider was president of the State Industrial Development Authority and held seats on the Alabama Supercomputer Authority Board and the Tombigbee Waterway Development Council.
For several years, Snider worked as a senior consultant with the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and was chairman of the Business Center of Alabama.
Born in Montgomery on January 20, 1932, Snider's lifelong love of flying led him to earn his pilot's license and an aeronautical engineering degree from Auburn University. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and served in the Korean War.
Snider is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Nancy, daughter Susan Kennedy (Bill), daughter-in-law Marie Snider (Chuck), grandson Robby Brantley (Ginny), granddaughters Davis Livingston (Gaines) and Devan Given (Perry), and nine great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his son Charles Samuel "Chuck" Snider Jr., parents Forest and Marie Snider, and brother Bill Snider.
Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, in the chapel at Frazer Church in Montgomery with a Celebration of Life service taking place at 2 p.m.. Interment will immediately follow at Alabama Heritage Cemetery.
