Lawton Chiles - Governor

Lawton Chiles became Florida's 41st governor in 1991.

A fourth-generation Floridian, Chiles has been a strong champion for the state's children and families. Throughout his four decades of public service — as a state legislator, as a United States Senator and as Governor — Chiles held children's and family issues close to his heart.

From his legendary walk 1,003 miles across the state during the 1970 U.S. Senate campaign to placing a $100 limit on individual campaign contributions during his two gubernatorial races, Chiles demonstrated an uncanny sense of political style and timing. With his genuine down-home manner, strong work ethic and a ready ear always ready to listen to his constituents, "Walkin' Lawton Chiles" worked his way into the hearts of Floridians — and never lost an election. In 1994, after winning a second term as governor in one of the most memorable races in Florida history, Chiles became the only "big-state" Democrat to remain sitting as governor.

Throughout his political career, Chiles used his clout as one of the most influential leaders in Florida history to promote the health, safety, education and families of the state's children. This dedication to children and families has led to some of Chiles' greatest accomplishments as governor, including engineering a historic drop in the state's infant mortality rate and winning a landmark lawsuit against the tobacco industry. By recovering $13 billion from Big Tobacco in a historic settlement, Governor Chiles set the tone for driving home his funding priorities for children and families beyond his time in office.

Lawton Chiles was born in Lakeland, Florida. He attended public schools, graduated from the University of Florida in 1952 and earned a law degree there in 1955. Chiles served in the U.S. Army as an artillery officer, 1953-54. In 1955, he was admitted to the Florida Bar and began a Lakeland law practice. Chiles served in the Florida House of Representatives, 1958-1966 and in the State Senate, 1966-70. He was chairman of the Florida Law Revision Commission, 1968-1970. He served for 18 years in the United States Senate, from 1971 until 1989 when he retired from elective office for a few short months. Buddy MacKay talked him into running for Governor in 1990 and Chiles/MacKay began a strong partnership that continued throughout their two terms. The Governor and First Lady Rhea Chiles, have four adult children: Tandy Chiles Barrett, Lawton (Bud) Chiles III, Ed Chiles and Rhea Chiles.