Paula Hawkins

Paula Hawkins ( born January 24, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah as Paula Fickes; † 3, 2009 in Winter Garden, Florida) was an American politician ( Republican), who represented the state of Florida in the United States Senate.

Political rise in Florida

After attending the public schools in Salt Lake City, Richmond and Atlanta, she continued her education from 1944 to 1947 continued at Utah State University. Their first public office Paula Hawkins then from 1972 to 1979 as a member of the Public Service Commission, an independent government agency. So she was the first woman to be elected to an office in Florida at the state level. From 1979 to 1980 she served as Vice President of the Air Florida.

1974 Paula Hawkins applied for the first time at their party's nomination for election to the U.S. Senate, but was defeated Jack Eckerd. As Eckerd in 1978 ran for the governorship of Florida, Paula Hawkins was a prime candidate for the post of Deputy Governor. But the victory won the Democrat Bob Graham and his running mate Wayne Mixson.

U.S. Senator

Finally, Paula Hawkins in 1980 erected by their party as a Senate candidate. They ran against Democrats Bill Gunter, who had defeated in the primaries incumbent Richard B. Stone. With 52 percent of the vote Hawkins prevailed. Since Stone resigned two days before the end of his term of office, they could carry out its mandate as from 1 January 1981. She was in turn the first woman from Florida who held political office at the federal level. In 1986 she stand for re- election, but was defeated Bob Graham.

Paula Hawkins was the first senator whose husband also moved to Washington. The "Club of the wives of the senators " ( Senate wives club) thus became the "Club of Senator spouse " ( Senate spouses club).

The community of faith of the Mormons belonging Paula Hawkins sat down after leaving the Senate in Winter Park (Florida ) to rest.