Charley Eugene Johns

Charley Johns (1963)

Charley Eugene Johns (born February 27, 1905 in Starke , Florida , † January 23, 1990 ) was an American politician and from 1953 to 1955 the 32nd governor of Florida.

Early years and political advancement

Johns attended local schools in his home country and the University of Florida , which he left without a degree. He then worked as a train conductor and insurance broker. Between 1935 and 1937, John was an MP in the Florida House of Representatives . From 1937 to 1966 he was a member of the State Senate . In 1953 he was its president. In accordance with the state constitution in force at the time, the President of the Senate also held the office of Vice Governor . In this capacity, Johns had to take over the office of governor on September 28, 1953 after the death of Governor Daniel T. McCarty . Since McCarty had died in the first half of his tenure, the constitution provided for a new governor to be elected for the remainder of his term. The date for this special election was set for autumn 1954. Johns ran for this election as well, but failed in the Democratic Party primaries . This ended his short term on January 4, 1955 and the election winner LeRoy Collins ended the legislature until January 1957. The governor's tenure from 1953 to 1957 thus saw three governors.

Florida governor

Due to the situation described above, Johns was only about 15 months in the office of governor. During this time he promoted the expansion of the roads and he abolished the toll on the route between Miami and Key West . He also campaigned for prison reform.

Another résumé

After being voted out of office, Johns resumed his seat in the State Senate, which he held until 1966. He later chaired a committee of inquiry that searched Florida's universities for homosexuals, communists and supporters of the civil rights movement and turned them against them. In Florida, over 100 professors and deans were dismissed by this committee by 1963. The committee commemorates Senator Joseph McCarthy and his "Un-American Activities" committee. After 1966, Johns withdrew from politics. He died in 1990. Charley Johns was married to Tyhelma Brinson, with whom he had two children.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport Conn. 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Charley Johns in the National Governor Association (English)
• Florida Governor Portraits (English)
• Charley Eugene Johns in the database of Find a Grave (English)