John Calvin

**John Pearson Calvin** (born June 12, 1947) was an American politician who served as the President of the United States from January 20, 2001 to January 20, 2005. Prior to this, he served as a Senator from Florida from 1993-2001, and Senate Majority whip 1999-2001. Calvin also formerly served as the Governor of Florida from 1977 to 1983, and from 1987-1991.

## Early life and career

Calvin was born on June 12, 1947. He is the son of Joseph Calvin (1917-1998) and Caroline Calvin (1919-1989)

Calvin was born and raised in Miami, Florida and attended Georgetown University, University College, Oxford, and Yale Law School. He met his future wife, Valerie Calvin, at Yale and they got married in 1976. After graduating from law school, Calvin returned to Florida and won election as state attorney general, and ran for governor in 1982.

## Governor of Florida

### Elections

#### 1978

On April 2, 1977, Calvin announced that he was running for governor in the 1982 election. He faced opposition in the form of Lieutenant Governor Jim Williams, Hans G. Tanzler the mayor of Jacksonville, Secretary of State Bruce Smathers and several other candidates. Calvin won with 54.2% of the vote, after the runoff primary.

Calvin ran against Republican Charles Eckerd. and won with 55.2% of the vote, compared to Eckerd's 44.1%.

#### 1986

Calvin decided not to run for re-election in 1982, but decided to come back in 1986. Calvin won the primary against Lucas Smith, with 69.8% of the vote.

Calvin faced Republican State Senator Bobby Mendoza in the general election, who won the Republican nomination with 60.9%. Calvin easily beat Mendoza with 61.1% of the vote.

### Tenure

#### First Term

Calvin's first term as governor saw greater economic and population growth. Calvin added hundreds of thousands of new jobs in his first term, as well as several Welfare programs that benefitted Floridian's greatly. He decided not to run for re-election, instead deciding to take a a break from politics. Calvin left office with an approval rating of 72%.

#### Second Term

Calvin's second term as governor saw a greater emphasis in education in his second term, especially his commitment on improvements of the public universities of Florida. By the end of his second term the state university system had substantially improved in their academic standing.

Calvin also emphasised Environmental Protection in his second term, specifically by signing the Floridian Animal Refuge Act and expanding the Clean Air Act. The economy continued to grow, and 500,000 More jobs for Floridian's. He decided to take another break from politics in 1990, and left office with a 71% approval rating.

## U.S. Senate

### Election

#### 1992

Calvin decided to run for Senate in 1992, and won the primary against Independent State Senator Keith Anders, with 91.2% of the vote.

Calvin ran against Republican incumbent Ron Dixon who won the Republican primary. The Calvin had a narrow lead for most of the race, but had a significant boost 2 weeks before the election. Calvin won the race, with 52.9% of the vote, compared to Dixon's 46.1%.

#### 1998

Calvin decided to run for re-election in 1998, and ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Calvin faced Republican former governor Bobby Mendoza, whom he had defeated back in 1986. Calvin won the race handily, winning 58.1%, to Mendoza's 40.9%.