"Walkin' Lawton" was from Lakeland, FL, and a state representive from 1958 to 1966 and a state senator from 1966 to 1970. In 1970 he campaigned for the U. S. Senate statewide on foot, walking over 1,000 miles to meet common folks to seek their support. He won that election and served from 1971 to 1989. He defeated incumbent Governor Bob Martinez in 1990 to become Florida Governor. In 1994 he defeated Jeb Bush in his re-election campaign to win a second term. Governor Chiles passed away in office on December 12, 1998. He never lost an election in 40 years of public service. He was also one of the original investors in the Red Lobster Seafood chain in the late 60's before it was bought by General Mills.

From: http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000356

CHILES, Lawton Mainor, Jr., a Senator from Florida; born in Lakeland, Polk County, Fla., April 3, 1930; attended the Lakeland public schools; graduated University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., 1952, and from the law school of the same university in 1955; served in the United States Army as artillery officer during Korean Conflict 1953-1954; admitted to the Florida bar in 1955 and commenced practice in Lakeland; member, Florida house of representatives 1958-1966; member, Florida State senate 1966-1970; businessman, banker, and industrial developer; chairman, Florida Law Revision Commission 1968-1970; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1970 for the term commencing January 3, 1971; reelected in 1976 and again in 1982 for the term ending January 3, 1989; chairman, Special Committee on Aging (Ninety-Sixth Congress), Committee on the Budget (One Hundredth Congress); was not a candidate for reelection in 1988; elected Governor of Florida in 1990; reelected Governor in 1994; was not a candidate for reelection in 1998; was a resident of Tallahassee, Fla., until his death on December 12, 1998; funeral services held at Faith Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee following a procession from Century, Fla., to Tallahassee; interment in Roselawn Cemetery.