Lawton Chiles

Lawton Mainor Chiles, Jr. (April 3, 1930 – December 12, 1998) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Florida. In a career spanning four decades, Chiles, a Democrat who never lost an election, served in the Florida House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and as forty-first governor of Florida from 1991 until his death in office in the last month of his term. He was the first Democratic governor in state history to have a Republican-controlled legislature.

The Senate

Chiles was re-elected to the U.S. Senate twice, in 1976 and 1982. Chiles, never flashy, was considered a moderate lawmaker who rarely made waves. He served as the Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging of the 96th Congress (1979-1981), and in the 100th Congress (1987-1989) served as the chairman of the influential Senate Budget Committee.

Related Topics:
1976 - 1982 - 1979 - 1981 - 1987 - 1989

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chiles underwent quadruple-bypass heart surgery in 1985. After his recovery, he became increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of work in the Senate, complaining that it was too difficult to get anything done. He announced in 1988 that he would not seek re-election that year. Chiles was succeeded by Connie Mack.

Related Topics:
1985 - 1988 - Connie Mack

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~