As state elections chief, Blackwell played a pivotal role in administering the hotly-contested 2004 presidential election while serving as Republican George W. Bush's honorary campaign co-chair. Democrats alleged in political attacks and lawsuits that Blackwell supported vote-suppressing policies favoring Bush, who won the state and the election.
Blackwell is on the boards of the National Rifle Association and Club for Growth. He's also a senior fellow at the Family Research Council.
- Julie Carr Smyth, Associated Press
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