Bruce Sundlun Gubernatorial Papers: Campaign Files (Mss. Gr. 120A)

Bruce Sundlun served as Governor of Rhode Island from January 1, 1991 to December 31,1994. The records in this manuscript group document Sundlun's five campaigns for governor. The records are arranged into five separate series for each of the five election campaigns. Sundlun's gubernatorial records are organized as a separate record group, Manuscript Group 120 (MSG#120).

Series I, Campaign Files 1986 (1984-1986) contains documents from Sundlun's first gubernatorial election in Rhode Island. Noteworthy files include Governor Edward DiPrete, Official Count of the Ballots Cast for 1986 and the Annual Report of the Division of Campaign Contributions and Expenditures which lists candidates and their contributors during the 1984 gubernatorial election. Sundlun lost this election to DiPrete. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically by date.

Series II, Campaign Files 1988, (1980 - [1988- 1989]) contains documents from Sundlun's second unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign. During this campaign, Sundlun collected information relating to Governor Edward DiPrete and the DiPrete Land Deal. A question of Sundlun's Rhode Island residency brought by DiPrete resulted in a challenge to the Board of Elections and the court case Sundlun v. DiPrete. Also included in the series are files relating to the Outlet Company (a communications company owned by Sundlun) and Governor Michael Dukakis who unsuccessfully ran for the office of President of the United States. The Finances file contains campaign and expenditure reports and campaign budgets. The series also includes several press releases and speeches including announcement speeches, stump speeches, and his concession speech. In addition, Sundlun collected documents to form policies on economic development, the elderly, freshwater wetlands and property tax relief. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically.

Series III, Campaign Files 1990 , (1984- [1988 - 1990] ) contains documents from Sundlun's third gubernatorial campaign. Sundlun defeated the incumbent, Governor Edward DiPrete, to become the next governor of Rhode Island. This series includes research files on topics such as campaign finance law, Department for Children and Their Families, Department of Corrections and the Rhode Island budget. In addition, files used to develop policies include Economic Development, Environmental Policy, Homelessness, and Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals. Sundlun's political positions are documented in his campaign briefing book and press releases. Campaign Strategies can be found in the files of David Preston, an advisor to the Sundlun campaign. The Finances file contains campaign and expenditure reports and campaign budgets. Related financial subject files include contributions, fundraising, and invoices. Correspondence and memoranda are included in the following files: Campaign Memos,; Correspondence, Letters: Incoming,; Letters: Outgoing, and Political Chronology. The series also contains numerous speeches including a Stump Speech, the State of the State Address, and an inaugural address located in the Inauguration file. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically by date.

Series IV, Campaign Files 1992, (1988- [1991-1992]) contains documents from Sundlun's fourth gubernatorial campaign. Sundlun won the election and continued as Governor of Rhode Island for a second term. During this campaign, Sundlun wrote an autobiography for distribution to voters entitled Hope: A Vision for Rhode Island's Future. This series also contains an extensive amount of financial documents including campaign deposits, contributions, finances, fundraising, and invoices. Sundlun made several campaign promises which are listed in his Campaign Promise Report. The report is subdivided by subjects such as education, housing, and substance abuse and is followed by a Campaign Promises Summary Report. Sundlun collected information pertaining to his opponent Elizabeth Leonard, as well as campaign finance law, the Democratic Governors' Association and NARAL. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically by date.

Series V, Campaign Files 1994, (1993 - 1994) contains documents from Sundlun's fifth and last gubernatorial campaign. He lost the Democratic Primary to Myrth York. Sundlun's political positions are included in his Campaign Briefing Book. During his previous campaigns, Sundlun vowed that he could improve the state of Rhode Island in four years. Justifications Or a third term as governor ate included in the Campaign Strategies File The series contains several financial files including a Campaign Deposit Report, Campaign Deposits, Finances, Fundraising, and Invoices. Correspondence, Incoming Letters, and Photographs are also included in the series. The License Plate Number Seven file contains documents pertaining to the legality of Sundlun's possession of this license plate number. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically by date.