Reubin Askew

Reubin O'Donovan Askew ( born September 11, 1928 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, † March 13, 2014 in Tallahassee, Florida ) was an American politician. He was from 1971 to 1979 the 37th Governor of the State of Florida, and thereafter, until 1981, commercial agent of the United States.

Early years and political rise

After graduating from high school Askew served 1946-1947 in the U.S. Army. He then attended the University of Florida before he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War two years. Then in 1956 he made ​​his law degree at the University of Florida. Between 1956 and 1958, Askew was deputy prosecutor in Escambia County and in 1958 he was elected to the House of Representatives from Florida. Since 1962 he was in the state Senate. For the gubernatorial elections of 1970 he was put forward by the Democratic Party as the leading candidate. In the following elections, he managed to beat the incumbent Governor Claude Kirk.

Governor of Florida

Askews term began January 5, 1971, and went after his successful re-election in 1974 to 2 January 1979. He was the first governor of Florida, who completed two contiguous four -year terms. This also only since the constitutional amendment of 1968 was, however, possible. In his eight years in office, the governor was working on a tax reform, which exonerated among other things the homeowner. Askew campaigned for the end of segregation and supported the civil rights movement. He appointed the first African-American justice of the state Supreme Court. In his cabinet sat with Athalie Range, the first black woman in the history of the state. Together with the governors Jimmy Carter in Georgia and later Bill Clinton in Arkansas was Reubin Askew as one of the most important representatives of the New South ( New South ). In 1972, Askew was a speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach. At that time the nomination for vice presidential candidate alongside George McGovern, he was offered; refused this offer from Askew but. Reubin Askew was a member and chairman of various associations governor.

Further CV

After the expiration of his term of office Askew was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the commercial agent of the United States ( Trade Representative ). This office he held until the end of Carter's term in January 1981. Thereafter Askew was a partner in a law firm in Miami. In 1984 he applied unsuccessfully for his party's nomination for the presidential election. In 1987, he announced his candidacy for Congress; but this he moved because of lack of financial support back. Last Reubin Askew lived in retirement. He was married to Donna Lou Harper, with whom he had two children.

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