Today (1/3/16) in Florida History from the Florida Historical Society!

1971 – Polk County native Lawton Chiles assumed his seat in the U.S. Senate on this date. Arguably one of the most unconventional campaign runs in Florida history, a relatively unknown Chiles walked 1,003 miles from Pensacola to Key West meeting the sunshine state’s constituents face to face in order to gain notoriety during his Senate campaign. The journey lasted 91 days and he walked through more than one pair of boots! What was termed at the time as a “public relations stroke of genius,” ultimately catapulted Chiles to an overwhelming victory over his opponent William C. Cramer in the 1970 election. Chiles was reelected to the Senate two more terms before deciding to run for governor of Florida in 1990, a post he served for two terms.

For more information about Chiles 1970 Senatorial race check out John Dos Passos Coggin’s recent book entitled, “Walkin’ Lawton,” published by the Florida Historical Society Press in 2012.