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Rufus L. Edmisten, born on July 12, 1941, grew up on a farm in the mountains of Watauga County, North Carolina near Boone.
He earned an undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a J. D. at George Washington University. In the fall of 1963 Rufus taught third grade at Ascension Acadamy Virginia while attending law school. Later on, still while in law school, Rufus joined the staff of Senator Sam Ervin, and he served on Senator Ervin's Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights and became counsel upon graduation from GWU. After earning his law degree he became Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Separation of Powers.
Senator Ervin chaired the Senate Watergate Committee 1973-1974 and Rufus served as Deputy Chief Counsel on that committee. It was in this capacity that Rufus served a subpoena to President Richard Nixon—which was the first time a Congressional Committee authorized a subpoena to be served on a sitting President of the United States.
Returning to North Carolina after Senator Ervin’s retirement in 1974, Rufus was elected North Carolina Attorney General and held that position for ten years. As attorney general, he engaged in several successful legislative and legal efforts including an effective campaign to save the beautiful New River from damming and development. Edmisten also initiated legislation to secure victims’ rights, to enhance historic preservation law, to reduce harsh penalties for simple possession of small amounts of marijuana and to improve educational and training requirements for North Carolina law enforcement officers.
After an unsuccessful campaign as the Democratic candidate for Governor of North Carolina in 1984, Rufus practiced law in Raleigh with Reagan Weaver. He entered public life again and in 1988 and 1992 won the office of Secretary of State. In 1996 he launched a law practice in Raleigh that two years later came together with that of his former North Carolina Department of Justice colleague Woody Webb, a highly rated litigator.
Rufus is active in several charitable and philanthropic organizations and created the Super Kids Foundation. This charitable program funds college educations for worthy high school students with financial need who have overcome significant adversity. He also serves on the boards of directors of Project Enlightenment and the Julia Crump Foundation, which also support children who need a helping hand. Rufus Edmisten, former NC State superstar basketball coach Jim Valvano and sportscaster Don Shea created the Jim Valvano Kids Klassic golf tournament, which has raised millions toward seeking a cure for childhood cancer. Rufus has also served on the North Carolina State Capitol Foundation for 25 years and served as president for six.
He is a panelist on NC Spin, the longest-running political talk radio show in North Carolina history. An avid gardener, more Saturday mornings than not Rufus is a guest on the Weekend Gardener, a local North Carolina radio show that has aired for over 45 years.
Rufus lives with his wife Linda and their dog Jasper in a designated National Historic Register property in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their home is located on two and one-half acres of lovely old original plantings including their beloved crepe myrtles and pecan trees.
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