Reubin Askew

Reubin O'Donovan Askew
37th Governor of Florida
In office January 5, 1971 – January 2, 1979
Lieutenant	Thomas Burton Adams, Jr. (1971-1975) J.H. Williams (1975-1979)
Preceded by	Claude Roy Kirk
Succeeded by	Bob Graham
7th United States Trade Representative
In office 1979–1981
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Robert S. Strauss
Succeeded by	Bill Brock
Personal details
Born	September 11, 1928 (1928-09-11) Muskogee, Oklahoma
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Donna Lou Harper
Profession	Politician, Lawyer
Religion	Presbyterian

Reubin O'Donovan Askew (born September 11, 1928) is a retired American politician. He is a democrat from Florida. He was born in Muskogee (Oklahoma), but since 1937 he living in Florida. He is a lawyer. He served both in US Army and US Air Force.

Prior to becoming governor, Askew served as state representative (1959-1963) and state senator (1963-1970). For a year (1969-1970) he was president pro tempore of this body.

He was elected governor in the same year and assumed duties in January 1971. He was one of the first southern governors (alongside Jimmy Carter of Georgia) who openly support desegregation. In 1972 then-democratic Presidential nominee, senator George McGovern of South Dakota offered him vice presidency, but Askew declined it. McGovern lost to Richard Nixon.

Askew was reelected in 1974 and served until early 1979. After leaving office he was, for two years, United States Trade Representative under President Carter.

In 1984 he ran for President, but was defeated in the primary.

He was regarded by many (including Harvard Scholars) as one of the best U.S. governors in the 20th Century.

Political offices
Preceded by Claude R. Kirk, Jr.	Governor of Florida January 5, 1971–January 2, 1979	Succeeded by D. Robert Graham