Lawton Chiles
American politician
Lawton Mainor Chiles, Jr. (April 3, 1930 – December 12, 1998) was an American politician. He was the 41st Governor of Florida from January 8, 1991 until his death in December 12, 1998.
Lawton Chiles | |
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41st Governor of Florida | |
In office January 8, 1991 – December 12, 1998 | |
Lieutenant | Buddy MacKay |
Preceded by | Bob Martinez |
Succeeded by | Buddy MacKay |
United States Senator from Florida | |
In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1989 | |
Preceded by | Spessard Holland |
Succeeded by | Connie Mack III |
Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Budget | |
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1989 | |
Preceded by | Pete Domenici |
Succeeded by | Jim Sasser |
Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging | |
In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981 | |
Preceded by | Frank Church |
Succeeded by | H. John Heinz III |
Personal details | |
Born | Lawton Mainor Chiles, Jr. April 3, 1930 Lakeland, Florida |
Died | December 12, 1998 Tallahassee, Florida
| (aged 68)
Resting place | Chiles Family Estate Lakeland, Florida |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Rhea Chiles |
Relations | Kay Hagan (niece) |
Alma mater | University of Florida |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1953–1954 |
Battles/wars | Korean War |
Before he was governor, Chiles was also a United States Senator from Florida serving from January 3, 1979 to January 1989.
Chiles once walked 1,003 miles from Key West to Pensacola, so that he could win the election for the United States senate. This earned him the nickname "Walkin' Lawton".
Chiles died on December 12, 1998 in Tallahassee, Florida from a heart attack, aged 68. He was survived by his three children and his wife Rhea.
Other websites
changeMedia related to Lawton Chiles at Wikimedia Commons
- Official Governor's portrait and biography from the State of Florida Archived 2008-12-02 at the Wayback Machine
- St. Petersburg Times article on the death of Gov. Chiles