George Smathers

George Armistead Smathers (November 14, 1913 – January 20, 2007) was an American lawyer and politician. He was a member of the United States Senate from 1951 until 1969 from Florida. He was also a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1947 to 1951. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

George Smathers
Smathers c. 1963
Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee
In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1969
Preceded by	John Sparkman
Succeeded by	Alan Bible
Chair of the Senate Aging Committee
In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1967
Preceded by	Patrick V. McNamara
Succeeded by	Harrison A. Williams
Secretary of Senate Democratic Conference
In office September 13, 1960 – January 3, 1967
Leader	Lyndon B. Johnson Mike Mansfield
Preceded by	Thomas Hennings
Succeeded by	Robert Byrd
United States Senator from Florida
In office January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1969
Preceded by	Claude Pepper
Succeeded by	Edward Gurney
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 4th district
In office January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1951
Preceded by	Pat Cannon
Succeeded by	Bill Lantaff
Personal details
Born	George Armistead Smathers (1913-11-14)November 14, 1913 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	January 20, 2007(2007-01-20) (aged 93) Indian Creek, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Rosemary Townley ​ ​ (m. 1939; div. 1962)​ Carolyn Hyder ​ (m. 1972)​
Children	2, including Bruce
Education	University of Florida (BA, LLB)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1942–1945
Battles/wars	World War II

In 1960, Smathers ran as a “Favorite Son” for President of the United States. He won the Florida Democratic primary, becoming the first Floridian popularly elected to represent Florida as a presidential candidate at a national convention. In 1968, Floridians again nominated Smathers as their Favorite Son candidate for president.

Smathers died on January 20, 2007 in Indian Creek, Florida from a stroke, aged 93.