Lawton Chiles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lawton Chiles
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| 41st Governor of Florida | |
| In office January 8, 1991 – December 12, 1998 |
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| Lieutenant | Buddy MacKay |
| Preceded by | Bob Martinez |
| Succeeded by | Buddy MacKay |
| United States Senator from Florida |
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| In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Spessard Holland |
| Succeeded by | Connie Mack III |
| Chair of the Senate Budget Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Pete Domenici |
| Succeeded by | Jim Sasser |
| Chair of the Senate Aging Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Frank Church |
| Succeeded by | John Heinz |
| Member of the Florida Senate | |
| In office November 8, 1966 – November 3, 1970 |
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| Preceded by | Redistricted |
| Succeeded by | Bob Brannen |
| Constituency | 26th district (1966–1967) 28th district (1967–1970) |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from Polk County, Group 1 |
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| In office November 4, 1958 – November 8, 1966 |
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| Preceded by | Roy Surles |
| Succeeded by | John R. Clark |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lawton Mainor Chiles Jr.
April 3, 1930 Lakeland, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | December 12, 1998 (aged 68) Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting place | "Jubilee," Chiles family estate Tallahassee, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Florida (BA, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1952–1954 |
| Rank | First lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
Lawton Mainor Chiles Jr. (April 3, 1930 – December 12, 1998) was an American politician. He served as the 41st governor of Florida from 1991 until he passed away in 1998. Before that, he was a U.S. Senator for Florida from 1971 to 1989. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
Chiles was a veteran of the Korean War. After his military service, he studied law and opened his own legal office in 1955. In 1958, he began his political career by winning a seat in the Florida House of Representatives.
He later moved to the Florida Senate in 1966. In 1970, Chiles decided to run for the United States Senate. To become better known, he walked 1,003 miles across Florida. This journey earned him the famous nickname "Walkin' Lawton." He won the election and served in the Senate for 18 years.
After leaving the Senate in 1989, Chiles planned to retire from politics. However, he was convinced to run for governor of Florida in 1990. He won against the current governor, Bob Martinez. As governor, he worked on health care reforms and helped Florida recover from Hurricane Andrew in 1992. He was re-elected in 1994, winning a close race against Jeb Bush. During his second term, he focused on improving education in Florida. Lawton Chiles passed away in December 1998, shortly before his term ended.
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Early Life and Education
Lawton Chiles was born in Polk County, Florida, near Lakeland, Florida. He went to Lakeland High School and then to the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. At the university, he was very involved in student activities. He was part of the Phi Delta Phi legal honor society and was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame.
He also joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Chiles graduated in 1952. After college, he served as an artillery officer in the United States Army during the Korean War. When the war ended, he returned to the University of Florida for law school. He graduated in 1955 and started his law practice in Lakeland. He married Rhea Grafton.
Starting His Political Journey
In 1958, Lawton Chiles was elected to the Florida House of Representatives as a Democrat. He served in the House until 1966. Then, he was elected to the Florida Senate, where he served until 1970.
During his time in the state legislature, Chiles also worked as a lawyer and helped develop properties in Lakeland. He was even one of the first people to invest in the popular Red Lobster restaurant chain.
The Famous 1,003-Mile Walk
In 1970, Chiles decided to run for the United States Senate. At that time, he wasn't very well known outside his local area. To get people's attention and meet voters, Chiles started a long walk across Florida. He walked 1,003 miles over 91 days, from Pensacola to Key West.
This walk helped him become famous and earned him the nickname "Walkin' Lawton." He wrote in his journal that he sometimes walked alone, but often met ordinary Floridians. Chiles later said the walk helped him see Florida's natural beauty and its problems in a new way.
Running for U.S. Senate
In the general election, Chiles ran against U.S. Representative William C. Cramer. Cramer was the first Republican from Florida to serve in Congress since the Reconstruction period.
Chiles' "walk" was a big success. Before the walk, only a small number of voters knew who he was. Afterward, many people recognized him and had a positive view of him. Reporters focused on his unique campaign style. Chiles presented himself as a "problem solver" who listened to people. He won the election, becoming a U.S. Senator.
Serving as a U.S. Senator
Lawton Chiles was re-elected to the U.S. Senate twice, in 1976 and 1982. He was known as a moderate lawmaker who didn't cause much fuss. He led the Special Committee on Aging from 1979 to 1981. Later, from 1987 to 1989, he chaired the important Senate Budget Committee.
In 1985, Chiles had heart surgery. After recovering, he felt that the work in the Senate was too slow. He announced in December 1987 that he would not seek re-election. Connie Mack, a Republican, took his place.
Becoming Governor of Florida
After leaving the Senate, Chiles faced some health challenges. He had planned to retire from politics completely. However, many people encouraged him to run for governor of Florida in 1990. He ran against the Republican governor at the time, Bob Martinez.
Chiles campaigned on the idea of "reinventing" the state's government. He won the election and became governor in 1991. Early in his term, Florida's economy struggled due to a national recession. He also oversaw recovery efforts after Hurricane Andrew, a major storm that hit Florida in 1992.
Chiles ran for re-election in 1994 against Jeb Bush, the son of former President George H. W. Bush. The election was very close. Chiles won by a small number of votes, making him the last Democrat to win a gubernatorial election in Florida.
During his second term, even with a Republican-controlled legislature, Chiles had some important successes. He and the state's attorney general, Bob Butterworth, won a major lawsuit against the tobacco industry. This resulted in a large settlement for the state. He also got approval for a big program to build new schools across Florida.
Later Health and Passing
In 1995, Chiles had a mild stroke, which was linked to dehydration. He received quick treatment and recovered fully.
Lawton Chiles could not run for a third term as governor. He supported his friend, Lieutenant Governor Buddy MacKay, in the 1998 governor's race. However, Jeb Bush won that election. On December 12, 1998, just three weeks before he was set to retire, Chiles passed away suddenly from a heart attack while exercising. He was 68 years old.
Buddy MacKay became governor for the remaining 24 days of Chiles' term. Funeral services were held in Tallahassee, Florida. Chiles was buried on his family's estate, which they called Jubilee.
Lawton Chiles' Legacy
Lawton Chiles was known for caring deeply about health care and children throughout his career. He worked to provide health coverage for people who didn't have it. He also helped create the National Commission for Prevention of Infant Mortality.
In 1992, Chiles started the Florida Healthy Start program. This program provides care for pregnant women and infants across the state. Since it began, Florida's infant mortality rate has significantly dropped. In 1996, he formed a commission to study Florida's school system. One of their ideas led to a state rule limiting class sizes in schools.
He also had a big impact on the Florida Supreme Court. He appointed many judges who made important decisions for the state. These appointments continued to shape the court's rulings long after he passed away.
Images for kids
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Lawton Chiles' funeral procession stops in front of the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida.
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Rhea Chiles embracing her son Bud during the funeral of Lawton Chiles, on December 15, 1998.
See also
- The Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition
- Lawton Chiles High School
- Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center
