Charlie Clary
Charlie Clary | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President Pro Tempore of the Florida Senate | |
| In office November 16, 2004 – November 7, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Alex Díaz de la Portilla |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Carlton |
| Member of the Florida Senate | |
| In office November 5, 1996 – November 7, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Harden |
| Succeeded by | Don Gaetz |
| Constituency | 7th District (1996–2002) 4th District (2002–2006) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 24, 1950 Crestview, Florida, U.S. |
| Spouse | Beth Graham |
| Children | Joanna and Laura |
| Education | Auburn University (B.A.) |
| Occupation | Architect |
Charlie Clary (born June 24, 1950) is a Republican politician who served as a member of the Florida Senate from 1996 to 2006, and as President Pro Tempore of the Senate from 2004 to 2006.
Early life
[edit]Clary was born in Crestview, Florida, and attended Auburn University, where he graduated with his bachelor's degree in architecture and environmental design in 1977. He served as a member of the Destin City Council from 1990 to 1996.[1]
Florida Senate
[edit]In 1996, Republican State Senator Robert Harden declined to seek re-election,[2] and Clary ran to succeed him in the 7th District, which stretched from Panama City to Pensacola.[3]
In the Republican primary, he ran against former State Representative Lois Benson, former Bay County Commissioner Rick Seltzer, retired rocket scientist Mac McMillan, and talk show host Joe Webb.[4] Clary placed second in the primary with 30 percent behind Benson, who won 34 percent.[5] However, because Benson did not receive a majority of the vote, a runoff election was held between the two of them.[6]
In the runoff election, Clary narrowly defeated Benson, receiving 51 percent of the vote to her 49 percent.[7] He faced Democratic nominee Richard "Beef" Harden, an Air Force Reserve pilot.[8] Clary defeated Haddad in a landslide, winning 60 percent of the vote.[9]
Clary ran for re-election in 2000 and was unopposed.[10]
In 2002, following the reconfiguration of Florida's state legislative districts after the 2000 census, Clary ran for re-election in the 4th District, which included most of the territory he previously represented.[11] He was challenged in the Republican primary by State Representative Jerry Melvin.[12] He defeated Melvin for renomination, winning 55 percent of the vote,[13] and his only opponent in the general election, a write-in candidate, dropped out of the race, allowing him to win re-election unopposed.[14] He was selected as the President Pro Tempore of the Senate for the 2004–2006 session.[15]
Clary was unable to seek re-election in 2006, and was succeeded by Republican Don Gaetz.[16] He initially announced that he would run for Chief Financial Officer in 2006, but dropped out of the race on September 12, 2005, and endorsed State Senate President Tom Lee.[17]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Senator Charlie Clary - President Pro Tempore". Florida Senate. 2006. Archived from the original on December 22, 2005. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ↑ Goldschmidt, Keith (July 2, 1996). "Emotional Harden says he won't seek re-election". Pensacola News Journal. p. 1A. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Goldschmidt, Keith (April 11, 1996). "Former Rep. Benson cites 'void,' enters Senate race". Pensacola News Journal. p. 1C. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Goldschmidt, Keith (August 18, 1996). "State Senate District 7 Candidates". Pensacola News Journal. p. 14A. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "September 3, 1996 Primary Election - Republican Primary - State Senator District: 7". Florida Department of State. 1996. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ↑ Graybiel, Ginny (September 4, 1996). "Runoffs in Senate, House seats". Pensacola News Journal. p. 7A. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "October 1, 1996 Runoff Election - Republican Primary - State Senator District: 7". Florida Department of State. 1996. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ↑ Goldschmidt, Keith (October 25, 1996). "Clary, Haddad battle to replace Sen. Harden". Pensacola News Journal. p. 1C. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "November 5, 1996 General Election - State Senator District: 7". Florida Department of State. 1996. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ↑ LaPolt, Alisa (August 28, 2000). "House District 3 candidates raise more than $100,000". Pensacola News Journal. p. 1C, 3C. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ LaPolt, Alisa (April 14, 2002). "Redistricting will keep some in office longer". Pensacola News Journal. p. 12C. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ LaPolt, Alisa (July 27, 2002). "Senate race stirs up partisan discontent". Pensacola News Journal. p. 2A. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "September 10, 2002 Primary Election - Republican Primary - State Senator District: 4". Florida Department of State. 2002. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ↑ "State candidate drops out". Florida Today. Cocoa, Florida. October 9, 2002. p. 8B. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Sen. Clary to be president pro tem". Pensacola News Journal. November 11, 2004. p. 6C. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Niceville Republican will be sworn in today". Pensacola News Journal. November 21, 2006. p. 1C. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Clary announces he won't run for CFO". Tallahassee Democrat. September 13, 2005. p. 2B. Retrieved August 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.