13 Facts About Buddy MacKay

Buddy MacKay was born to a citrus-farming family in Ocala, Florida, the son of Julia Elizabeth and Kenneth Hood Buddy MacKay.

Buddy MacKay served in the United States Air Force during the 1950s, and then attended the University of Florida, where he was tapped into Florida Blue Key and eventually received a law degree.

Buddy MacKay was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame and was a member of The Board.

Buddy MacKay married Anne Selph in 1960; the couple has four sons.

Buddy MacKay was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1968, and to the Florida Senate in 1974.

Buddy MacKay won the 1990 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor on the ticket headed by former US Senator Lawton Chiles, who had held the Senate seat Buddy MacKay had unsuccessfully sought two years earlier.

Buddy MacKay was regarded as the most significant and powerful lieutenant governor in Florida's history.

Buddy MacKay was a strong supporter of the use of capital punishment, as was Chiles.

In 1998, Buddy MacKay sought to succeed the term-limited Chiles as governor, easily winning the Democratic nomination with his full support.

At 12.30 am the next day, the 65-year-old Buddy MacKay was sworn in as Florida's 42nd governor at his Capitol office for the 24 days remaining in Chiles' term.

Buddy MacKay granted six pardons to female prisoners and was involved in such issues as the negotiation plan for the Everglades, and moderated some other disputes.

Buddy MacKay was appointed by President Clinton as a special envoy for the Americas, being the second person to hold this position.

Buddy MacKay died at his home in Ocklawaha, Florida, on the afternoon of December 31,2024.