M. Mandy Dawson
Muriel Mandy Dawson-Bethune (born July 18, 1956) was a Democratic member of the Florida Senate, representing the 29th District from 1999 to 2008. Previously she was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1993 through 1998. She was the first African-American female elected to the Florida Legislature from Broward County. [6] During her time in the legislature she worked on bills restoring civil rights for ex-offenders, penalties for leaving children in locked cars, and keeping Black physicians on managed care panels to address health care inequalities.[6] Bethune now works as a political campaign manager.
Muriel Mandy Dawson | |
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Member of the Florida Senate | |
In office November 3, 1998 – November 4, 2008 | |
Preceded by | Matthew Meadows (30th)[1] Steven Geller (29th)[2] |
Succeeded by | Ron Klein (30th) Chris Smith (29th)[3] |
Constituency | 30th district (1998–2002) 29th district (2002–2008) |
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 93rd district | |
In office November 3, 1992 – November 3, 1998 | |
Preceded by | Debby P. Sanderson[4] |
Succeeded by | Chris Smith[5] |
Personal details | |
Born | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | July 18, 1956
Political party | Democratic |
Dawson was born in Fort Lauderdale and moved to Daytona Beach when she was 6 years old.[6] She attended Florida A&M University from 1975-1980 and has a BS in Social Work from Barry University.[7] She married Hobson Bethune, a retired Marine and longtime youth athletics coach in 2010.[6] Bethune died in 2017.[6]
Legal difficulties
Dawson had chronic back pain requiring hospitalization and surgery which led to a drug problem.[6] In 2002, Dawson was arrested and charged with felony prescription drug fraud for altering a painkiller prescription from 60 pills to 160. In return for dismissal of the charges, Dawson entered a pretrial intervention program.[8] On July 20, 2011, Dawson was charged with federal income tax evasion and failure to file tax returns.[9] In court papers filed in early February 2012, Dawson signalled her intention to plead guilty to the tax evasion charges.[10]
References
- "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 30 Race - Nov 03, 1998". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Jun 24, 2020.
- "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 29 Race - Nov 05, 2002". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Jun 24, 2020.
- "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 29 Race - Nov 02, 2004". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Jun 24, 2020.
- "Our Campaigns - FL State House 93 Race - Nov 03, 1992". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Jun 24, 2020.
- "Our Campaigns - FL State House 93 Race - Nov 05, 1996". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved Jun 24, 2020.
- Butler, Andreas (2018-03-15). "Dawson-Bethune adds fire to Williamson's campaign – Daytona Times". Daytona Times. Retrieved 2020-06-20.
- "Mandy Dawson's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- "Legislator returns fire to Limbaugh". Retrieved Jun 24, 2020.
- Hendley, Matthew (Jul 21, 2011). "Mandy Dawson Arrested Again -- for a Little More Than Prescription Pill Fraud This Time". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Retrieved Jun 24, 2020.
- Paula McMahon, Sun Sentinel (February 13, 2015). "Former state legislator Mandy Dawson freed, admits cocaine use". www.sun-sentinel.com.
External links
Florida House of Representatives | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Debby P. Sanderson |
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 93rd district 1992–1998 |
Succeeded by Chris Smith |
Florida Senate | ||
Preceded by Matthew Meadows |
Member of the Florida Senate from the 30th district 1998–2002 |
Succeeded by Ron Klein |
Preceded by Steven Geller |
Member of the Florida Senate from the 29th district 2002–2008 |
Succeeded by Chris Smith |