Editing Bob Graham (section)

===Governor of Florida===
Graham was elected to the governorship of Florida in [[1978 Florida gubernatorial election|1978]] after a seven-way Democratic primary race in which he initially placed second to [[Robert L. Shevin]]. His supporters at the time dubbed themselves "[[Florida cracker|Graham crackers]]."<ref>{{cite news |first=Bob |last=D'Angelo |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/bob-graham-former-florida-governor-us-senator-dead-87/RS7NAZ4IBZCSBK2J3IFLKX2MUA/ |title=Bob Graham, former Florida governor, US senator, dead at 87 |work=[[KIRO-TV]] |publisher=[[Cox Media Group]] |location=[[Seattle|Seattle, WA]] |access-date=April 16, 2024 |date=April 16, 2024 |archive-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417052017/https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/bob-graham-former-florida-governor-us-senator-dead-87/RS7NAZ4IBZCSBK2J3IFLKX2MUA/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In his first month as governor, Graham established a 22-member [[Florida Tax Commission]], headed by [[Lieutenant Governor of Florida|Lieutenant Governor]] [[Wayne Mixson]], to recommend policy to "make taxes more fair". In January 1979, he appointed [[Florida state senator]]s [[Buddy MacKay]] and [[Kenneth M. Myers]]; [[Florida state representative]]s [[Gwen Margolis]] and [[Carl Ogden]]; businessman [[Preston A. Wells Jr.]] and others to the commission.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nolan |first=Jack |date=January 11, 1979|title=5 Central Floridians join state tax commission |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-5-central-floridian/161498755/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1979|title=Graham picks new members for tax panel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tallahassee-democrat-graham-picks-new-me/161498260/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |newspaper=[[Tallahassee Democrat]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1979|title=Graham (continued) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tallahassee-democrat-graham-continued/161498547/ |access-date=2024-12-24 |newspaper=[[Tallahassee Democrat]] |language=en}}</ref>

Graham emphasized education and focused on improving the state's public universities. In addition, Graham's administration focused on economic diversification and environmental policies. During his tenure as governor, the state added 1.2 million jobs, and for the first time in state history, Floridians' [[per capita]] income exceeded the U.S. average.<ref name="NYT Obit" />

Graham also launched the most extensive environmental protection program in Florida history, focused on preserving endangered lands. During his tenure, thousands of acres of threatened and environmentally important lands were brought into state ownership for permanent protection. His keystone accomplishment was the establishment of the Save the Everglades program, which has now been joined by the federal government in a commitment to restore the [[Everglades]].<ref name="NYT Obit" />

Graham left the governorship with an 83% approval rating. According to ''[[The New York Times]]'', he was one of Florida's most popular politicians.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nagourney |first1=Adam |title=Senator Graham Considers Run for President |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/24/politics/campaigns/24GRAH.html |access-date=October 9, 2014 |work=The New York Times |date=December 24, 2002 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=October 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015164236/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/24/politics/campaigns/24GRAH.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:Florida Governor-elect Graham being sworn in by Chief Justice Arthur England.jpg|Graham sworn in as governor, January 1979
File:Bob Graham delivers last address as governor.jpg|Graham delivering his last public address as governor before assuming his Senate seat
</gallery>