Buddy MacKay
Kenneth Hood "Buddy" MacKay, Jr. (born March 22, 1933) is an American politician and diplomat. He served as Governor of Florida, following the death of then-Governor Lawton Chiles.[1] He served as Governor for less than a month. He is the last Democrat to serve as Governor of Florida.[2]
Buddy MacKay | |
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| 42nd Governor of Florida | |
| In office December 12, 1998 – January 5, 1999 | |
| Lieutenant | None |
| Preceded by | Lawton Chiles |
| Succeeded by | Jeb Bush |
| 14th Lieutenant Governor of Florida | |
| In office January 8, 1991 – December 12, 1998 | |
| Governor | Lawton Chiles |
| Preceded by | Bobby Brantley |
| Succeeded by | Frank Brogan |
| Presidential Special Envoy for the Americas | |
| In office 1999–2001 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Mack McLarty |
| Succeeded by | Otto Reich |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 6th district | |
| In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Young |
| Succeeded by | Cliff Stearns |
| Florida State Senator from 6th district | |
| In office January 3, 1975 – November 5, 1980 | |
| Succeeded by | George Kirkpatrick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Hood MacKay, Jr. March 22, 1933 Ocala, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Selph (m. 1960) |
| Education | University of Florida |
| Profession | lawyer, politician |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1955–1958 |
| Rank | Captain |
Early life
MacKay was born in Ocala, Florida. His family were citrus farmers. He studied at the University of Florida. MacKay served the United States Air Force. He married Anne Selph in 1960.
Early career
MacKay was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1968, and to the Florida Senate in 1975. From 1983 to 1989 he served for three terms in the United States House of Representatives.
Controlling the national budget one of his main concerns. In 1988 he received the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate, but lost in a very close race for that office to Connie Mack III.
Lieutenant Governor of Florida
MacKay won the 1990 Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor on the ticket headed by former Senator Lawton Chiles. They won the election and were re-elected in 1994. MacKay succeeded Chiles as governor after his sudden death in 1998.
Governor of Florida
In 1998 MacKay sought to succeed Chiles as Governor, easily winning the Democratic nomination with his full support (Chiles and MacKay were known for their friendly relationship). He was defeated by Republican nominee Jeb Bush.
A few months later, he became governor after Chiles' death. MacKay served as governor for 23 days. During his term as governor, MacKay granted six pardons to female prisoners and tried to fix the Everglades. He appointed Peggy Quince for Florida Supreme Court.
In 1999, he was succeeded by Bush.
Personal life
MacKay lives in Tallahassee with his wife. MacKay has four children.
Buddy MacKay Media
Lawton Chiles and MacKay at the Florida Democratic Party headquarters, 1991
MacKay taking the oath of office, 1998
Bob Graham with MacKay, 2008
References
- ↑ State: MacKay steps into awkward 23 days
- ↑ "Nan Rich Claims Lawton Chiles' Legacy With Buddy MacKay's Endorsement". Sun Shine State News.com. February 4, 2014. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
Other websites
Media related to Buddy MacKay at Wikimedia Commons