Bruce Smathers

Last updated
Bruce Smathers
Bruce Armistead Smathers.jpg
Official portrait, c. 1975
18th Secretary of State of Florida
In office
January 7, 1975 –July 19, 1978
Education
Occupation
  • Lawyer
  • investor
  • politician
Military service
Branch/service United States Navy
Battles/wars Vietnam War

Bruce Armistead Smathers (born October 3, 1943) is a retired Democratic politician from Florida. He served as the 18th Secretary of State of Florida from 1975 to 1978. [1]

Contents

Political career

Smathers began his political career in 1972, when he was elected to the Florida Senate from the 9th District, representing most of Duval County. [2] [3] He had entered an already-crowded primary election field, facing incumbents Bill Beaufort and Lynwood Arnold, after the two were drawn into the same district. Smathers advanced to the primary runoff with Arnold, who he went on to defeat.

In 1974, he was elected Secretary of State. Once in office, Smathers reformed election laws, modernized the Division of Corporations, became involved in the "Atocha" treasure dispute, expanded support for cultural affairs, and was best known as leader of the successful effort to preserve Florida's Old Capitol (1845–1978). [4] At the time he took office, he was the youngest member of the Florida Cabinet in the twentieth century.

In July 1978, Smathers resigned to campaign for governor. He lost in the Democratic primary to Bob Graham.

Family and background

He is the younger son of George Smathers, former Congressman and U.S. Senator for Florida. [5] After attending the St. Alban's School, [6] Smathers earned an undergraduate degree in Economics from Yale University (with honors) and a law degree from University of Florida (Florida Blue Key and Florida Law Review). A NROTC graduate, Smathers was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Smathers received assignment to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and subsequently completed Underwater Demolition Training Replacement Accession (UDTRA) training class 36, now known as BUD/S training. Smathers was assigned to Underwater Demolition Team Eleven (UDT-11), served with Naval Special Warfare Pacific, and was a decorated Vietnam War Veteran.

College relations

Smathers was college roommates with two different members of Congress. Smathers roomed with U.S. Senator Bill Nelson during undergraduate studies at Yale University. [7]

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References

  1. ↑ Jones, Maxine D.; McCarthy, Kevin M. (1993-10-01). African Americans in Florida . Pineapple Press Inc. pp.  123–. ISBN   978-1-56164-031-7 . Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  2. ↑ "Florida Senators". Archived from the original on 13 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Historical Senate Journals - 1970's". Florida Senate Archive. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  5. ↑ "George A. Smathers, 93, Former Senator From Florida". query.nytimes.com.
  6. ↑ "Lakeland Ledger - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  7. ↑ "Bill Nelson - Florida 4-H Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Secretary of State of Florida
1974		Succeeded by
Florida Senate
Preceded by
Lynwood Arnold
 Member of the Florida Senate
from the 9th district
1972–1974		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of Florida
1975–1978		Succeeded by
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