27 Facts About Edward Gurney

In 1968, Edward Gurney was elected as the first Republican Senator from Florida since Reconstruction.

Edward Gurney attended public schools and graduated in 1935 from Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

Edward Gurney was admitted to the Bar of New York the following year and began practicing law in New York City.

Edward Gurney was commissioned as an officer and saw action in the European Theatre of conflict.

Edward Gurney started his work life after Duke by moving to Winter Park in Orange County in central Florida.

Edward Gurney set up a law practice, partnering with Lou Frey, who later succeeded him in the US House of Representatives.

In 1952, Edward Gurney was elected city commissioner of Winter Park.

Edward Gurney served until his election as city attorney for Maitland.

Edward Gurney completed his career in local office with service as mayor of Winter Park from 1961 to 1962.

In 1968, Edward Gurney was elected to the United States Senate for the seat of retiring Democrat George Smathers.

The election coincided with Richard Nixon's victory in the presidential race that year, and Edward Gurney was among the candidates who benefited by Nixon's political "coattails".

Edward Gurney defeated his opponent, former governor Leroy Collins, with 55.9 percent of the vote to Collins' 44.1 percent.

In 1973, Gurney was named to the Senate select committee which investigated the Watergate scandal of the Nixon administration ; it was led by Democratic Senator Sam J Ervin of North Carolina.

Edward Gurney was the administration's strongest supporter on the panel, in contrast to the ranking Republican member, Howard Baker of Tennessee.

Edward Gurney competed in the Republican Party with Bill Cramer, a senior leader in Florida who in 1954 had been the first of his party elected to Congress from the state in the 20th century.

Edward Gurney believed that Gurney would support him for the other Senate seat, which Spessard Holland was expected to vacate in 1970.

Edward Gurney ran in the primary against Gurney in 1968 but, underfunded and distrusted by many conservative Republican voters, Goldner received few votes.

Edward Gurney handily won the Senate seat, carrying all but four counties in the race against Democrat LeRoy Collins, a former governor.

Edward Gurney had been nominated that year to the Supreme Court and was rejected by the Senate, with critical comments about his "mediocrity and past "racism.

Edward Gurney did not agree that he and Cramer had a "gentlemen's agreement" about the Senate seat.

In 1974 Edward Gurney was indicted in an influence peddling scandal.

Edward Gurney resigned his seat December 31,1974 and was tried on seven counts of bribery and related offenses.

Edward Gurney was acquitted on five counts and the jury could not reach a verdict on two others.

In 1978, Edward Gurney ran again for a seat in the House of Representatives, but was defeated by Democrat Bill Nelson.

Edward Gurney retired from politics and resumed the practice of law in Winter Park.

Edward Gurney married Natalie, whom he met while in law school.

Natalie Edward Gurney suffered a stroke in 1971 and was bedridden for years before her death in 1978.