Simon Casady (journalist)

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Simon Casady
Born(1908-07-17)July 17, 1908
Des Moines, Iowa
DiedApril 27, 1995(1995-04-27) (aged 86)
La Jolla, California
NationalityAmerican
OccupationJournalist, politician
Parent(s)Thomas Casady and Frances B. Kasson

Simon "Si" Casady (July 17, 1908 – March 27, 1995) was a journalist and political figure who was influential in California Democratic Party politics. Due to his publishing power in the southwest, he helped launch the political careers of Barry Goldwater, Lyndon Johnson, Senator Lloyd Bentsen, and other politicians. Casady was known for his liberal political positions, including his opposition to the Vietnam War, support for the civil rights movement and the farm workers' movement, and was known as a frequent defender of Fidel Castro. He was the former publisher for El Cajon Valley News (now The Daily Californian) as well as The Arizona Republic and the Phoenix Gazette.[1]

Life and career[]

Born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1908, Casady was the son of Episcopal Bishop Thomas Casady, grandson of prominent Iowa banker Simon Casady, and great-grandson of Iowa state senator Phineas M. Casady. Casady attended the University of the South in Sewanee Tennessee, the University of Iowa, and the University of Oklahoma. His career in journalism began in 1928, when he worked as a reporter for the Oklahoma City Times. He also worked as a wire editor for the Associated Press.[2]

Due to the editorials he wrote denouncing the Vietnam War, Casady had a lengthy FBI file. His opposition to the Vietnam War was divisive among California Democrats in the 1960s and Casady earned the nickname "Cyanide Si". California Governor Edmund G. (Pat) Brown Sr. ousted Casady from his position as head of the California Democratic Council because of his stance on Vietnam. In 1966, Casady served as co-chairman of the National Conference for New Politics, alongside Julian Bond.[3] Casady also served as president of the San Diego-based Friends of the Black Panthers (F.O.B.P.).[4]

Casady's only attempt at electoral politics was running against Pete Wilson in the 1979 San Diego mayoral election, an election which he lost.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ "Long-time Democrat takes on Pete Wilson". San Diego Reader. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  2. ^ "Simon Casady will give political forecast" (PDF). UC San Diego Library. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  3. ^ "Don't mourn for us...Organize". San Diego State University. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  4. ^ "F.O.B.P. (Friends of the Black Panthers)". San Diego State University. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  5. ^ Tony Perry (March 27, 1995). "Simon Casady; Journalist and Influential State Democrat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
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