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Throughout
his political career, Chiles used his clout as one of the most influential
leaders in Florida history to promote the health, safety, education and families
of the state's children. This dedication to children and families has led
to some of Chiles' greatest accomplishments as governor, including engineering
a historic drop in the state's infant mortality rate and winning a landmark
lawsuit against the tobacco industry. By recovering $13 billion from Big Tobacco
in a historic settlement, Governor Chiles set the tone for driving home his
funding priorities for children and families beyond his time in office.
Lawton Chiles was born in Lakeland, Florida.
He attended public schools, graduated from the University of Florida in 1952
and earned a law degree there in 1955. Chiles served in the U.S. Army as an
artillery officer, 1953-54. In 1955, he was admitted to the Florida Bar and
began a Lakeland law practice. Chiles served in the Florida House of Representatives,
1958-1966 and in the State Senate, 1966-70. He was chairman of the Florida
Law Revision Commission, 
1968-1970.
He served for 18 years in the United States Senate, from 1971 until 1989 when
he retired from elective office for a few short months. Buddy MacKay talked
him into running for Governor in 1990 and Chiles/MacKay began a strong partnership
that continued throughout their two terms. The Governor and First Lady Rhea
Chiles, have four adult children: Tandy Chiles Barrett, Lawton (Bud) Chiles
III, Ed Chiles and Rhea Chiles.
