Bruce Smathers
Encyclopedia
Bruce Armistead Smathers (born October 3, 1943) was a member of the Florida State Senate (Committees: Education, Governmental Operations, Ways and Means) and then was elected to and served as Secretary of State of Florida
from 1975 - 1978.
As Secretary of State, Smathers reformed election laws, modernized the Division of Corporations, became involved in the "Atocha
" treasure dispute, expanded support for cultural affairs, and was best known as leader of the successful effort to preserve Florida's Historic State Capitol
(1845–1978) with the help of, then wife, Nancy McDowell. Smathers was the youngest member of the Florida Cabinet
in the twentieth century at his time of entry. The six members of the Florida Cabinet and the Governor then constituted the State Board of Education, and administered the Department of General Services, the Department of Criminal Law Enforcement, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Revenue and the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. (The cabinet was substantially changed in 1998).
After serving as Secretary of State he launched an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign losing to Bob Graham
.
He is the younger son of George Smathers
, former Congressman
and U.S. Senator
for Florida. After attending the St. Alban's School
, Smathers earned an undergraduate degree in Economics
from Yale University
(with honors) and a law degree
from University of Florida (law review
). A NROTC graduate, he joined Underwater Demolition Team
Eleven, served with Naval Special Warfare Pacific, and was a decorated Vietnam War
Veteran
. After his political career, he combined law with lobbying, running family orange and automobile businesses, and became a successful investor serving on various private and charitable boards.
He presently resides between Jacksonville, FL, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Cordillera, CO
and with wife, Susan, they have a son, Bruce, Jr.
Secretary of State of Florida
The Secretary of State of Florida is a constitutional officer of the state government of the U.S. state of Florida, established by the original 1838 state constitution....
from 1975 - 1978.
As Secretary of State, Smathers reformed election laws, modernized the Division of Corporations, became involved in the "Atocha
Nuestra Señora de Atocha
Nuestra Señora de Atocha was the most famous of a fleet of Spanish ships that sank in 1622 off the Florida Keys while carrying copper, silver, gold, tobacco, gems, jewels, jewelry and indigo from Spanish ports at Cartagena, Colombia, Porto Bello in New Granada and Havana bound for Spain...
" treasure dispute, expanded support for cultural affairs, and was best known as leader of the successful effort to preserve Florida's Historic State Capitol
Florida State Capitol
The Florida State Capitol, in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, is the state capitol of the U.S. state of Florida. The building is an architecturally and historically significant building, having been listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
(1845–1978) with the help of, then wife, Nancy McDowell. Smathers was the youngest member of the Florida Cabinet
Florida Cabinet
The Florida Cabinet is a body of the government of Florida that engages in the collective governance of the state.Created following Reconstruction, when there had been a widespread distrust of the governors appointed by the federal government, the cabinet was designed to decentralize authority from...
in the twentieth century at his time of entry. The six members of the Florida Cabinet and the Governor then constituted the State Board of Education, and administered the Department of General Services, the Department of Criminal Law Enforcement, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Revenue and the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. (The cabinet was substantially changed in 1998).
After serving as Secretary of State he launched an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign losing to Bob Graham
Bob Graham
Daniel Robert "Bob" Graham is an American politician. He was the 38th Governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987 and a United States Senator from that state from 1987 to 2005...
.
He is the younger son of George Smathers
George Smathers
George Armistead Smathers was an American lawyer and politician who represented the state of Florida in the United States Senate for eighteen years, from 1951 until 1969, as a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life:...
, former Congressman
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
for Florida. After attending the St. Alban's School
St. Albans School (Washington, D.C.)
St. Albans School is an independent college preparatory school for boys in grades 4–12, located in Washington, D.C. The school is named after Saint Alban, traditionally regarded as the first British martyr. Within the St...
, Smathers earned an undergraduate degree in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
(with honors) and a law degree
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from University of Florida (law review
Law review
A law review is a scholarly journal focusing on legal issues, normally published by an organization of students at a law school or through a bar association...
). A NROTC graduate, he joined Underwater Demolition Team
Underwater Demolition Team
The Underwater Demolition Teams were an elite special-purpose force established by the United States Navy during World War II. They also served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War...
Eleven, served with Naval Special Warfare Pacific, and was a decorated Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
Veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
. After his political career, he combined law with lobbying, running family orange and automobile businesses, and became a successful investor serving on various private and charitable boards.
He presently resides between Jacksonville, FL, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Cordillera, CO
Cordillera, Colorado
Cordillera is an unincorporated community in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. The U.S. Post Office at Edwards serves Cordillera postal addresses.-Geography:Cordillera is located at .-External links:* *...
and with wife, Susan, they have a son, Bruce, Jr.