Claude Roy Kirk

Claude Kirk junior (1967)

Claude Roy Kirk, Jr. (born January 7, 1926 in San Bernardino , California , † September 28, 2011 in West Palm Beach , Florida ) was an American politician and the 36th governor of the state of Florida from 1967 to 1971 .

Early years and political advancement

Claude Kirk was born in California and came to Florida via Chicago , Illinois and Montgomery , Alabama . He served in the US Marine Corps in both World War II and the Korean War . Between the wars, he graduated from the University of Alabama in 1949 . In 1956 he founded the American Heritage Life Insurance Company in Jacksonville, one of many insurance companies that - attracted by the politics of Mayor W. Haydon Burns - settled in Jacksonville.

In 1960, Kirk switched from the Democratic Party to the Republicans . He supported Richard Nixon's presidential campaign , which was ultimately defeated by John F. Kennedy . In 1964, Kirk ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the US Senate . The Republican Party nominated him in 1966 as their top candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election. In this election he benefited from the division of the Democratic Party. This had not nominated the previous governor Haydon Burns, the former mayor of Jacksonville, again. As a result, Burns and his supporters refused to endorse the nominee Robert High. The result of the dispute was the election victory of Republican Kirk. He became the first Republican governor of Florida since Marcellus Stearns was elected in 1874.

Florida governor

Claude Kirk's four-year term began on January 3, 1967. During this time, the new constitution of the state was passed in 1968. There were often conflicts between the governor and the two major parties over issues such as economic growth and taxes. It is also worth mentioning that in 1968 the state teachers went on strike. According to the new constitution, re-election in 1970 was possible and Governor Kirk decided to run again. This time he was defeated in the election by his democratic opponent Reubin Askew .

Further life

After his tenure ended on January 5, 1971, Kirk returned to his private business. As a result, he made several unsuccessful attempts in the US Senate and again to be elected governor. He was also unable to achieve the position of Florida Minister of Education, which he had now striven for. He was married to Erika Mattfeld, with whom he had five children.

His son-in-law is Ander Crenshaw , a Republican Congressman from Florida since 2001 .

Web links

• Claude Kirk in the National Governor Association (English)
• Florida Governor Portraits (English)
• Claude R. Kirk in the database of Find a Grave (English)

Individual evidence

1. ^ Anthony Man: Former Florida Gov. Claude Kirk does this in West Palm Beach. In: Sun Sentinel, September 28, 2011 (accessed November 16, 2014).