Bruce Smathers

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]

Bruce Smathers
18th Secretary of State of Florida
In office
January 7, 1975 – July 19, 1978
GovernorReubin Askew
Preceded byDorothy Glisson
Succeeded byJesse J. McCrary, Jr.
Member of the Florida Senate
from the 9th District
In office
November 7, 1972 – November 5, 1974
Preceded byRedistricted
Succeeded byMattox Hair
Personal details
Born (1943-10-03) October 3, 1943
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materYale University
University of Florida
ProfessionLawyer, Investor

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]

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).[3] 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.[4] After attending the St. Alban's School,[5] 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. After his political career, he combined law with lobbying, running family orange and automobile businesses, and became a successful investor serving on various private and charitable boards.

He presently resides between Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Cordillera, Colorado. He and his wife, Susan Gamble, have one son, Bruce, Jr.

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.[6] Smathers roomed with Congressman Ander Crenshaw while studying at the University of Florida College of Law.

gollark: Which one?
gollark: Plus a trilaterator and emergency melon machine.
gollark: Oh, there's Site Null here too, it stores the disk key.
gollark: At some point.
gollark: I'll send you the location of GTech™ Apiohydroaquaform 1.

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. "Historical Senate Journals - 1970's". Florida Senate Archive. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  3. "Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  4. "George A. Smathers, 93, Former Senator From Florida". query.nytimes.com.
  5. "Lakeland Ledger - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2012-04-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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