Cary A. Hardee

Cary Augustus Hardee (November 13, 1876 – November 21, 1957) was an educator, lawyer, legislator, and banker who served as the 23rd Governor of Florida. He was a lawyer, state attorney, member of the Florida House of Representatives, and speaker of the Florida House before being elected governor. He took office on January 4, 1921.

Cary A. Hardee
23rd Governor of Florida
In office January 4, 1921 – January 6, 1925
Preceded by	Sidney J. Catts
Succeeded by	John W. Martin
Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
In office 1915–1917
Preceded by	Ion Farris
Succeeded by	George H. Wilder
Personal details
Born	(1876-11-13)November 13, 1876 Taylor County, Florida
Died	November 21, 1957(1957-11-21) (aged 81) Live Oak, Florida
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Maude Randell Hardee

Born in Taylor County, Florida, he spent most of his life in Live Oak, Florida.

During his term, the state adopted constitutional amendments that reapportioned the legislature and prohibited the levying of state income and inheritance taxes. He also halted the practice of leasing state prisoners out to private businesses. During his term as governor electrocution became a legal method of execution in Florida.

Hardee left office on January 6, 1925. He ran for governor again in 1932, but lost the Democratic primary. He was a banker in Live Oak until his death in 1957.[1]

Hardee County, Florida is named in his honor.

Electoral history

1932 Florida Democratic gubernatorial primary[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John W. Martin	66,940	24.19
	Democratic	David Sholtz	55,406	20.02
	Democratic	Cary A. Hardee	50,427	18.22
	Democratic	Stafford Caldwell	44,938	16.24
	Democratic	Charles W. Durrance	36,291	13.12
	Democratic	T. S. Hart	9,525	3.44
	Democratic	Arthur Gomez	9,244	3.34
	Democratic	J. Thomas Watson	3,949	1.43
Total votes			276,720	100.00

1920 Florida gubernatorial election[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic	Cary A. Hardee	103,407	77.94%
	Republican	George E. Gay	23,788	17.93%
	Socialist	F.C. Whitaker	2,823	2.13%
	Independent	W.L. VanDuzer	2,654	2.00%
Majority			79,619
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing

1920 Florida Democratic gubernatorial primary[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Cary A. Hardee	52,591	59.48
	Democratic	Van C. Swearingen	30,240	34.20
	Democratic	Lincoln Hulley	5,591	6.32
Total votes			88,422	100.00

References

1. "Cary Augustus Hardee - Florida Department of State". dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
2. "The Florida Handbook". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
3. "Florida Almanac 2007-2008". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2020-06-01.

External links

• Official Governor's portrait and biography from the State of Florida
• Cary A. Hardee at Find a Grave

Party political offices
Preceded by William V. Knott	Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida 1920	Succeeded by John W. Martin
Political offices
Preceded by Sidney J. Catts	Governor of Florida January 4, 1921 – January 6, 1925	Succeeded by John W. Martin