A Letter Between Friends, 1975

Not long after Ted was publicly arrested for kidnapping in Utah, gossip among the political circles of Seattle was in full swing. A social acquaintance of Ted's, Larry Voshall, wrote to another politico in Europe with the big news. Tim Clancy had been a good friend of Ted's in 1968 when they both worked for the Republican party, and they had even traveled to Miami together that summer for the national convention. In his response to Larry, Tim had some interesting memories to share from his days with Ted.
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Dear Larry,

Wow! That’s unbelievable. Considering the type of mentality of the person or persons involved in these bizarre murders, it’s frightening; but to actually believe that such a person is an acquaintance, I dare say a confidant, of ours is more than I can comprehend. And yet…

I first met Ted Bundy in June of ’68 on the Draft Rockefeller campaign in Seattle. He was working on the Fletcher campaign during the day and for Safeway at night as a stock boy. I was the state youth chairman, and I made him my Seattle area chairman. He was living in the U District in one of those back street apartments. Ted and I spent a lot of time together that summer and as far as I know, I was the only young politico he got along with very well. He did not like the original AFW crowd much.

I recall that he speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese having taken a National Defense funded crash course at Stanford at some previous time. I also recall that occasionally he would mimic an English accent in jest.

I recall an incident in the ’68 campaign in which Ted stood up in an open meeting and challenged ?? on KING’s refusal to run Fletcher’s TV ads and the relationship to their Mormon ownership. He does not lack balls.

After the campaigns, he drifted out of circulation, but I ran into him in 1969, I believe. He was living with a group of guys and he mentioned that though he did not indulge, these jokers were shooting up heroin. You could never trust what Ted would say, and I doubt that it was true. He always seemed to be saying things for affect.

Though I may have run into him sometime later, the next period which sticks out was in Spokane, spring of 1973. I understand the political sensitivity of this since at the time he was Ross Davis’ administrative assistant. Nothing particular stands out at that time. I was finishing up law school and we merely had lunch. He was just as cynical as always. Ted is one of the great cynics of our time. I could never understand how he could work on the projects he did if he felt the way he said…

I guess Ted B. could be “Ted” but I don’t want to believe so, none of us do. Bundy is a strange bird and if anyone fits the description of enigmatic, he does. Maybe that’s why we (from your letter I gather you think so) believe he could be the sick fiend. I personally never saw him in the company of a young woman, though I do recall him attempting to pick up some friends of mine. He is handsome, has flair, and is a sharp dresser, but he comes on too strong…

Needless to say this has not really hit me yet, but I hope we can all keep an objective and unbiased viewpoint on it. I am certain a lot has passed since you wrote your letter and possibly the situation is resolved. Regardless, good luck and keep in touch.

-Tim Clancy