John E. Mathews Bio
John E. (Jack) Mathews served in the Florida Legislature from 1956-1970. He was a popular, influential, and widely respected political figure, whose achievements as a legislator are well-known in the state of Florida. During his tenure in the House and Senate, he was instrumental in: Florida reapportionment, restructuring of state bureaucracy, enactment of competitive bidding procedures for state purchasing, writing of a new state constitution and expansion of the state university system.
He participated in two Florida gubernatorial races: 1963-64 (finished fifth to Haydon Burns); and 1969-70 (finished second to Reubin Askew in the Democratic primary). He was named 1961 Most Outstanding Member of Florida House award, 1963 Most Outstanding Member of Florida Senate award, and Presidency of the Florida Senate in 1969-70.