Reubin Askew

Reubin O'Donovan Askew (September 11, 1928 – March 13, 2014) was an American politician. He was a Democrat from Florida. He was born in Muskogee (Oklahoma), but since 1937 he lived in Florida. He was a lawyer. He served both in US Army and US Air Force.

Early life
Askew was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He studied at Florida State University and at University of Florida Levin College of Law. Askew married Donna Lou Harper in August 1956.

Career
Prior to becoming governor, Askew served as state representative (1959-1963) and state senator (1963-1970). For a year (1969-1970) he was president pro tempore of this body.

He was elected governor in the same year and assumed duties in January 1971. He was one of the first southern governors (alongside Jimmy Carter of Georgia) to openly support desegregation. In 1972 then-democratic Presidential nominee, senator George McGovern of South Dakota offered him vice presidency, but Askew declined it. McGovern lost to Richard Nixon.

Askew was reelected in 1974 and served until early 1979. After leaving office he was, for two years, United States Trade Representative under President Carter.

In 1984 he ran for president, but was defeated in the primary.

Personal life
Askew had two children; one son and one daughter. Askew lived in Tallahassee, Florida.

Death
Askew died at the age of 85 on March 13, 2014 at his Tallahassee home, after a recent stroke.ABC News "Florida governor Reubin Askew dies"

Legacy
He was regarded by many (including Harvard Scholars) as one of the best U.S. governors in the 20th Century.

References

Other websites

 Official Governor's portrait and biography from the State of Florida 
 Florida DeMolay hall of Fame website
 DeMolay hall of Fame website 
 NYTimes obituary

Category:1984 United States presidential candidates
Category:Military people from Florida
Category:United States Trade Representatives
Askew, Reubin
Category:Deaths from stroke
Category:1928 births
Category:2014 deaths
Category:Politicians from Muskogee, Oklahoma
Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians
Category:Florida State University alumni