Byron Combee
Byron Combee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 51st district | |
| In office November 2, 1982 – November 4, 1986 | |
| Preceded by | James Harrison Smith Jr. (redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Jerry Rehm |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 17, 1947 |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | St. Petersburg Junior College (A.A.) University of South Florida (B.A., M.A.) |
| Occupation | Educator, real estate agent |
Byron Combee (born December 17, 1947) is a Republican politician from Florida who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 51st district from 1982 to 1986.
Early life
[edit]Combee was born in Clearwater, Florida, in 1947, and graduated from Clearwater High School.[1] He attended St. Petersburg Junior College, where he received his associate degree, and the University of South Florida, graduating with his bachelor's and master's degrees in education.[1][2] Combee worked as a teacher in the Hillsborough and Pinellas school systems. He served as the legislative assistant to State Representative Bob Melby.[3]
Florida House of Representatives
[edit]In 1982, Combee ran for the Florida House of Representatives, seeking to succeed State Representative Jim Smith in the 51st district.[3] He faced home builder Rod Fischer and attorney William Lyman in the Republican primary,[4] which he won with 54 percent of the vote.[5]
In the general election, he ran against Democratic nominee Charlotte Hubbard, a legislative aide to State House Speaker H. Lee Moffitt.[6] Both parties targeted the race, and Combee narrowly defeated Hubbard, winning 51 percent of the vote to her 49 percent.[7][8]
Combee was re-elected unopposed in 1984.[9]
In 1986, Combee ran for re-election to a third term. He was challenged by former Clearwater City Commissioner James Calderbank,[1] but after Calderbank was arrested for having sex on a public beach, teacher Michael Klapka emerged as the nominee.[10] On October 14, 1986, Combee was arrested and charged with engaging in a lewd act after he fondled an undercover police officer in a Clearwater park. He subsequently dropped out of the race,[11] and was replaced on the ballot by former State Senator Jerry Rehm, who subsequently won the general election.[12] Combee subsequently pleaded no contest to the charges.[13]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Debenport, Ellen (July 15, 1986). "Combee faces two opponents for Legislature". St. Petersburg Times. p. 5B. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Morris, Allen, ed. (1984). The Clerk's Manual: 1984-1986. Clerk of the Florida House of Representatives. p. 67.
- 1 2 Harwood, John (May 19, 1982). "Legislative aide running for House". St. Petersburg Times. p. 4B. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Harwood, John (May 29, 1982). "Democrats optimistic after reapportionment". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1-B, 12-B. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "September 7, 1982 Primary Election Republican Primary - State Representative District: 51". Florida Department of Elections. 1982. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ Mecke, Michele (September 8, 1982). "Hubbard leads in District 51; Campas far ahead in District 58". St. Petersburg Times. p. 5B. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Bradley, Barry (November 4, 1982). "Combee, Hubbard happy with outcome". St. Petersburg Times. p. 12B. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "November 2, 1982 General Election - State Representative District: 51". Florida Department of Elections. 1982. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ Geyelin, Milo (July 21, 1984). "Local Democrats concede 11 races without a fight". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1-B. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Scherberger, Tom (October 16, 1986). "Clearwater lawmakers quits race after charge of fondling". Orlando Sentinel. p. D-3. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Danielson, Richard (October 16, 1986). "Rep. Combee quits race after police lodge sex charges". The Tampa Tribune. p. 1B. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Norton, Wilma (November 5, 1986). "Former state senator wins seat in House". St. Petersburg Times. p. 5B. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Meisol, Pat (March 10, 1987). "Ex-lawmaker given probation on sex charges". St. Petersburg Times. p. 8B. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.