Interview with John Oxendine, September 11, 2018

John Oxendine was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and grew up in Tucker, Georgia. Oxendine graduated from Mercer University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in Christianity, Greek, and political science. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 1987 and worked as an attorney and partner at Oxendine and Associates from 1987 until 1995. Governor Joe Frank Harris appointed Oxendine to the Georgia State Board of Personnel Administration in 1988. Running as a Republican, he defeated Democrat Tim Ryles in 1994 to become Georgia Insurance Commissioner. Oxendine declined to run for reelection in 2010. He ran unsuccessfully for the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nomination. He is currently a consultant and attorney at John Oxendine, P.C. and Oxendine Insurance Services, Inc. in Atlanta.

Oxendine discusses his upbringing and early introduction to politics. He talks about his education and activities while at Mercer University in Macon. Oxendine describes his move from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. He reflects on his successful 1994 campaign for Georgia Insurance Commissioner as well as his take on that office’s duties and responsibilities. Oxendine recalls his unsuccessful 2010 gubernatorial campaign. The interview closes with Oxendine’s assessment of the Georgia Republican Party’s past and prospects, including his thoughts on the 2017 special election between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Karen Handel in Georgia’s 6th congressional district.

2018-09-11

RBRL425TPGA-059

77 minutes