Interview with Lawrence E. "Larry" Forgy, Jr., March 20, 1984
Project: John Sherman Cooper Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Forgy Jr., an associate of John Sherman Cooper's in Kentucky and Washington, D.C, begins the interview by discussing how he met Cooper. Forgy Jr. then details what the Kentucky Republican Party was like in the 1960s. Additionally, Forgy Jr. also outlines the difference between political campaigns of the past and today. The interviewee characterizes the political factions in Kentucky Republican politics in the 1950s and 1960s. Forgy Jr. illustrates the evolution of political campaign styles throughout the years. Forgy Jr. articulates how the Kentucky Republican Party got out of power in the 1970s. Forgy Jr.'s role in Cooper's 1960 and 1966 Senatorial campaigns is explored. The interviewee evaluates Cooper's standing with leaders of important industries in Kentucky such as horse racing. The effect of Happy Chandler upon Republican politics in Kentucky is discussed. Forgy Jr. details his role on the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation. Forgy Jr. talks of the working relationship between Cooper and Thruston Morton in the Senate. Cooper's level of support for Louie Nunn and his campaigns is assessed. Cooper's relationship with the press in Kentucky is detailed. Forgy Jr. expresses his opinion on Cooper's greatest political contribution. The change in southern Republican politics following the civil rights movement and how Cooper fit into this shift is evaluated. Key people in Cooper's inner circle in Kentucky and Washington, D.C. are listed. To conclude the interview, Forgy Jr. offers stories about Cooper on the campaign trail, as well as Forgy Jr.'s time spent with Kentucky politicians.Interview Accession
Interviewee Name
Interviewer Name
Interview Date
Interview LC Subject
Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Forgy, Lawrence E. "Larry", Jr., 1939-2022 Forgy, Lawrence E. "Larry", Jr., 1939-2022--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Kentucky Kentuckians Washington (D.C.) Liberal Conservative Horse industry Civil rights movement African Americans People of colorInterview Rights
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.Interview Usage
Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.Restriction
Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.
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Forgy, Lawrence E., Jr. Interview by Richard C. Smoot. 20 Mar. 1984. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Forgy, L.E., Jr. (1984, March 20). Interview by R. C. Smoot. John Sherman Cooper Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Forgy, Lawrence E., Jr., interview by Richard C. Smoot. March 20, 1984, John Sherman Cooper Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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Persistent Link for this Record: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt71vh5cfj40