The Florida Maverick
William C. Cramer's Enduring Political Blueprint: An in-depth exploration of the Congressman who reshaped Florida's Republican Party and left an indelible mark on national policy.
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Introducing William C. Cramer
A Pioneering Republican
William Cato Cramer Sr. (1922–2003) was an American attorney and politician who made history in 1954 by becoming the first Florida Republican elected to the U.S. House of Representatives since the Reconstruction era, which concluded in 1880. His election marked a significant turning point in Florida's political landscape, initiating a period of Republican resurgence in a state long dominated by Democrats.
Shaping National Infrastructure
During his tenure in Congress, Cramer rose to prominence as a ranking member of the Roads subcommittee within the Committee on Public Works. In this influential role, he played a crucial part in shaping national highway policy during a period of extensive expansion. He championed efforts to maintain toll-free Interstates and secured additional federal funding for key projects, notably linking Tampa and Miami via Interstate 75, ensuring his hometown of St. Petersburg was included in this vital route.
Architect of Florida's GOP
Beyond his legislative achievements, Cramer was instrumental in revitalizing the Republican Party in Florida throughout the mid-20th century. He strategically leveraged the state's evolving demographics, attracting new Republican migrants from the Northern and Midwestern United States, as well as engaging Cuban Americans and other minority groups. His efforts laid the groundwork for the party's growth, earning him the unofficial title of Florida's "Mr. Republican" by the Florida Republican State Executive Committee in 1974.
Early Life & Education
Roots in Florida
Born on August 4, 1922, in Denver, Colorado, William C. Cramer's family relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida, when he was three years old. He attended the public segregated schools of St. Petersburg, graduating from St. Petersburg High School, where he first engaged in political activity through student government. His formative years in St. Petersburg, a city on the Gulf Coast that would grow to become Florida's fourth-largest, deeply influenced his later political career.
Academic Pursuits
Cramer pursued higher education at St. Petersburg Junior College, Florida's pioneering public community college, which he considered vital for accessible education. He then continued his studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning his four-year degree. Demonstrating a strong work ethic from a young age, he undertook various jobs, including working as a bellhop at a North Carolina resort hotel, before completing his university studies.
Military Service & Legal Career
In 1943, Cramer enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a gunnery officer and participating in the liberation of France during World War II. He continued his service in the United States Naval Reserve until 1946. Upon graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina in 1946 and subsequently from Harvard Law School in 1948, Cramer returned to St. Petersburg to establish a private law practice. He married Alice of Dothan, Alabama, and they had three children before their eventual divorce.
Florida's Evolving Political Landscape
Democratic Hegemony
For decades prior to Cramer's emergence, Florida was a one-party Democratic state. This dominance was largely a consequence of the systematic disenfranchisement of African Americans at the turn of the 20th century, who had historically constituted the majority of the Republican Party. Discriminatory application of state laws effectively hollowed out the Republican Party, leading to a political environment where competitive races were confined almost exclusively to Democratic primaries, often described as "personality-oriented within narrow ideological boundaries."
Shifting Demographics
The mid-20th century brought significant demographic changes to Florida. An influx of new residents, primarily white migrants and retirees from the American Midwest and Northeastern states, began to challenge the entrenched Democratic control. These new populations, often with Republican leanings, concentrated in areas like Pinellas County and Miami, gradually altering the partisan profile of these regions. This demographic shift provided fertile ground for the nascent Republican Party to grow.
Republican Ascendance
Early signs of this shift were evident in presidential elections. Herbert C. Hoover's victory in Pinellas County in 1928, and Thomas E. Dewey's wins in several key counties in 1948, demonstrated growing Republican strength. The Eisenhower-Nixon ticket carried the state in 1952 and 1956, followed by Nixon's victories in 1960, 1968, and 1972. The passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 further reshaped the electorate, allowing African Americans to re-enter the political system, largely aligning with the national Democratic Party, which further diversified the political landscape.
State Legislative Service
"Mr. Republican" of Florida
In 1950, William C. Cramer successfully ran for the Florida House of Representatives. He also managed the Pinellas County Republican slate, leading a group of fourteen first-time candidates. Their campaign, which criticized government inefficiency and "boss-type" politics, resulted in the election of all but one GOP candidate. Cramer quickly became the de facto "titular head" of the Pinellas County Republican Party, a role that would later lead to his recognition as Florida's "Mr. Republican" by the state executive committee in 1974.
Minority Leader's Influence
Despite the overwhelming Democratic majority, Cramer's two Republican colleagues in 1951 named him minority leader. Though initially mocked for "caucusing in a phone booth," Cramer skillfully utilized the rules of the Florida legislature, which mirrored those of the U.S. House, to assert minority rights. This strategy significantly raised his personal profile and the visibility of the Republican Party within state politics, demonstrating his early aptitude for strategic political maneuvering.
Legislative Advocacy
During his time in the state House, Cramer was a staunch defender of junior colleges, advocating for their importance in providing affordable educational opportunities for Floridians, a cause close to his heart given his own educational background. He also worked to establish Florida's first anti-crime commission, though Democratic opposition prevented the appointment of any Republicans to the panel, highlighting the partisan challenges he faced in a Democrat-dominated legislature.
Path to Congress
First Congressional Bid (1952)
In 1952, Cramer launched his first campaign for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, challenging Courtney W. Campbell, a Democratic businessman from Clearwater. Despite benefiting from the national Eisenhower-Nixon ticket and investing $25,000 in a comprehensive "handshaking tour" across several counties, Cramer narrowly lost the open race by a margin of just 0.7 percent. Following this, he served a two-year term as the Pinellas County attorney.
Historic Victory (1954)
Undeterred, Cramer ran for Congress again in 1954, this time with a more robust organizational effort. He successfully unseated Campbell, winning by the same 0.7 percent margin that had marked his previous defeat. This victory was monumental, making him the first Florida Republican elected to Congress since 1880. Although his $40,000 campaign budget was modest for the emerging medium of television advertising, the state Republican Party's financial contributions proved crucial to his success.
Forging Alliances
Reflecting on Cramer's early congressional career, fellow U.S. Representative Robert L. F. Sikes, a Democrat, initially described Cramer as potentially "a lost ball in high weeds" within a Democratic Congress due to his articulate nature and legal background contrasting with his opponent's less polished public speaking. However, Sikes noted that despite their initial political rivalry, he and Cramer later developed a strong friendship, underscoring Cramer's ability to build relationships across the aisle.
Civil Rights Stance
Early Opposition
William C. Cramer's record on civil rights during his congressional tenure was complex and reflected the deeply divided political climate of the mid-20th century South. In 1957, he joined other Southern Republican House members in urging President Eisenhower to withdraw federal troops from Little Rock during the school integration crisis. He was also a signatory of the 1956 anti-desegregation Southern Manifesto and voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, and 1964.
Shifting Positions
Despite his earlier votes, Cramer did not vote on the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished the poll tax. Notably, he voted in favor of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at overcoming legal barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. He also supported the initial House version of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, though he ultimately voted against its final passage after it was amended in the Senate.
Anti-Riot Legislation
In a period marked by social unrest and protests, Cramer introduced an anti-riot measure as an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This legislation made police assault a federal crime and federalized as conspiracy the actions of rioters who crossed state lines to commit such acts. The measure passed the House with significant bipartisan support (389-25) and was lauded at Cramer's rallies by prominent Republican figures like Vice President Spiro Agnew and Attorney General John N. Mitchell.
Republican National Committee
A National Figure
After nine years in the U.S. House, William C. Cramer was elected to the Republican National Committee (RNC) in 1964, a position he would hold for an impressive 20 consecutive years, including 14 years after he left Congress. His long tenure on the RNC solidified his standing as a significant national figure within the Republican Party, extending his influence far beyond Florida's borders.
Presidential Campaigns & Counsel
In 1964, Cramer led the presidential delegate slate pledged to U.S. Senator Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona, indicating his alignment with the conservative wing of the party. He served as a delegate or alternate delegate to every Republican National Convention from 1952 to 1984, playing a continuous role in shaping the party's national platform and leadership. Furthermore, Cramer served as the RNC's general counsel for six years, demonstrating his legal acumen and deep involvement in the party's operational and strategic affairs.
Internal Party Dynamics
Cramer's involvement with the RNC was not without internal challenges. He recounted that Goldwater had asked him to bypass the party "regulars" in Florida, led by Harold Alexander and Tom Brown, due to their perceived passivity in developing the state party. Although the "regulars" narrowly won the primary in 1964, Cramer believed that stronger backing from Goldwater could have secured victory for his insurgent faction, illustrating the complex internal power struggles within the burgeoning Florida GOP.
Intra-Party Conflicts
Kirk's Challenge
A significant schism developed between Cramer and Claude R. Kirk, Jr., a Democrat-turned-Republican who became Governor of Florida in 1966. Kirk, aiming to consolidate his leadership, believed Cramer had not assisted his gubernatorial campaigns in 1964 or 1966, attributing this to Cramer's own gubernatorial aspirations. Cramer, however, stated he urged Kirk to integrate his campaign with the regular Republican organization, a suggestion Kirk rejected in favor of building his own separate political entity to attract crossover Democratic support.
Battle for RNC Influence
The disagreement escalated when Governor Kirk intentionally overlooked Cramer in planning his inauguration, instead appointing U.S. Representative Edward Gurney as chairman, despite Gurney's minimal role in Kirk's campaign. In 1968, Kirk actively sought Cramer's removal as national committeeman at the Republican state convention in Orlando, viewing Cramer as the primary obstacle to his "total control" of the Florida Republican Party. Cramer believed his proven effectiveness as a congressman and his leadership roles in the House and RNC had earned him the loyalty of organizational Republicans.
Patronage and Rivalry
The rivalry extended to patronage, with Kirk appointing Gurney's Orlando law firm as counsel for the Florida Turnpike Authority, a lucrative position with a $100,000 annual retainer, while Cramer's firm received no state business. This demonstrated the deep personal and political animosity that characterized the Cramer-Kirk relationship, highlighting the intense competition for influence within the growing Florida Republican Party.
1970 Senate Campaign
The Gurney Agreement
In 1968, U.S. Representative Edward Gurney sought the Florida U.S. Senate seat vacated by Democrat George Smathers. Cramer, also a prospective primary opponent, deferred to Gurney based on an understanding that Gurney would support Cramer for the other Senate seat, expected to be vacated by Spessard Holland in 1970. Cramer recalled a handshake agreement, stating, "Gurney pledged his support to me, and I did to him." Gurney defeated Democrat LeRoy Collins in the general election, and both Gurney and Cramer worked to build the Republican Party across the state.
Nixon's Encouragement & Carswell's Entry
In the fall of 1969, Cramer declared his candidacy for the Senate, as Holland announced his retirement. President Nixon encouraged Cramer, stating, "Bill, the Senate needs you, the country needs you, the people need you—now run." However, the political landscape shifted dramatically in April 1970 when the Senate rejected Judge G. Harrold Carswell, a Tallahassee conservative, as Nixon's Supreme Court nominee. Political aides suggested Carswell resign from the bench and run for Holland's Senate seat, a move endorsed by Governor Kirk and Senator Gurney, despite Cramer's prior agreement with Gurney. Carswell claimed no knowledge of any "gentlemen's agreement" and had considered a Senate run previously.
Campaign Issues & Primary Victory
Cramer gave up his House seat to pursue the Senate. His campaign focused on his amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited forced busing to achieve racial balance in public schools, and he questioned Carswell's concurrence in Fifth Circuit busing edicts. Cramer also broadened his rhetoric to attack "cop killers, bombers, burners, and racial revolutionaries." In the Republican primary on September 8, 1970, Cramer secured a decisive victory with 220,553 votes to Carswell's 121,281, with a third candidate receiving 10,974 votes. Senate Republican Leader Hugh Scott, who opposed Carswell's Supreme Court confirmation, remarked that Carswell "was asking for it, and he got what he deserved."
1970 Election Aftermath
A Divided Party
The 1970 general election saw a deeply fractured Republican Party in Florida. While Carswell and Jack Eckerd (who challenged Kirk for the gubernatorial nomination) endorsed Cramer and Kirk respectively, they were not actively involved in the fall campaign. This contrasted sharply with the Democratic Party, where State Senators Lawton Chiles and Reubin Askew successfully unified their philosophical divisions, forming a cohesive ticket. The Miami Herald aptly noted the "uneasy alliance" between Republican nominees Kirk and Cramer, highlighting the internal strife that plagued their efforts.
"Walkin' Lawton" Prevails
In the Senate race, Cramer's opponent, Lawton Chiles, gained widespread and often uncritical recognition through his "Walkin' Lawton" campaign—a 92-day, 1,000-mile trek across Florida. This public relations masterstroke dramatically increased Chiles' name recognition from a mere 5 percent of voters. Cramer struggled to counter this appeal, with an aide noting the difficulty of "selling experience. It's not a sexy thing." Chiles presented himself as a "problem solver" with "back-country common sense," effectively contrasting with Cramer's more traditional political approach.
Environmental & Social Currents
The environment emerged as a significant national concern in 1970. Chiles capitalized on this by opposing the controversial Cross Florida Barge Canal, a project previously supported by the entire Florida congressional delegation. While Cramer had a record of environmental legislation, including drafting the Water Pollution Control Act of 1956, he received little credit from environmentalists. Chiles also attracted African-American support by dismissing Cramer's anti-busing amendment as "just talk" and an "emotional issue," despite Chiles also opposing busing. These factors, combined with a strong Democratic ticket, led to Cramer's defeat, polling 772,817 votes (46.1 percent) to Chiles' 902,438 (53.9 percent).
Later Years & Legacy
Post-Congressional Career
Following his 1970 Senate defeat, William C. Cramer never again sought public office, declining even a potential appointment as a federal judge. He leveraged his extensive experience in Washington D.C. to establish a law practice, Cramer & Matthews, with offices in Washington D.C. and Miami. In 1973, he and his partner served as unpaid advisors to House Republican Leader Gerald R. Ford, Jr., during Ford's confirmation as Vice President and later aided in discussions surrounding President Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal. He continued his service on the Republican National Committee until 1984 and also engaged in lobbying efforts for several foreign governments.
International & Party Influence
In 1979, Cramer was selected by the Ford administration to lead the first trade mission to China following the normalization of relations, a testament to his diplomatic and political standing. He also represented the Republican National Committee in legal challenges, such as the Ripon Society's unsuccessful fight against the delegate formula, a formula Cramer had chaired the RNC Rules Committee to establish in 1972. In 1988, after his former House colleague George H. W. Bush was elected president, Cramer returned to St. Petersburg, establishing another law practice and engaging in real estate ventures.
Enduring Recognition
Cramer passed away on October 18, 2003, at the age of eighty-one in South Pasadena, Florida, due to complications from a heart attack. He was survived by his second wife, Sarah Ellen (née Bromelow) Hilber. His contributions to Florida and national politics are formally recognized: the William C. Cramer Post Office in St. Petersburg bears his name, and in November 2005, the Florida Legislature dedicated a section of I-275 in Pinellas County as the "St. Petersburg Parkway/William C. Cramer Memorial Highway," acknowledging his pivotal role in securing its construction. Historians note that while the Cramer-Kirk schism initially hindered the Florida GOP's growth, the party eventually recovered, with Cramer's early efforts laying a crucial foundation for its later successes.
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References
References
- Robert Lee Fulton Sikes, He-Coon: The Bob Sikes Story (Pensacola, Florida, 1985), p. 324
- Miami Herald, September 4, 1970; U.S. News & World Report, September 7, 1970, pp. 34-35
- The New York Times, July 31, 1970, Miami Herald, September 4, 1970; Tallahassee Democrat, September 6, 1970
- Lamis, Two-Party South, p. 185; Miami Herald, September 9, 1970; Tallahassee Democrat, September 6 and November 1, 1970
- Jack Bass and Walter DeVries, The Transformation of Southern Politics: Social Change and Political Consequence Since 1945 (New York, 1976), p. 116
- Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Richard Nixon (Washington, D.C., 1971), p. 950
- Lamis, Two-Party South, p. 293; Bass and DeVries, The Transformation of Southern Politics, p. 125
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