1944 Florida gubernatorial election
The 1944 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1944. Democratic nominee Millard Caldwell defeated Republican nominee Bert L. Acker with 78.94% of the vote. Primary elections Primary elections were held on May 2, 1944, with the Democratic runoff held on May 23, 1944. Democratic primary Candidates J. Edwin Baker, former State Senator Millard Caldwell, former U.S. Representative for the 3rd district Ernest R. Graham, State Senator Robert A. (Lex) Green, U.S. Representative for the at-large district Raymond Sheldon, State Senator Frank D. Upchurch, Mayor of St. Augustine Results Republican primary Candidates Bert L. Acker, public relations consultant, unsuccessful candidate for Florida's 4th US Congressional district in 1940 and 1942. Edward T. Keenan Results General election Bert Acker who ran as a Republican, would be against the New Deal in his campaign. He also wanted to eliminate laws he thought were useless and conflicting. Acker was in favor of leasing lands owned by the state government to be used by farmers and cattle ranchers. Acker wanted to allow mining and oil production to be done on state owned lands as well. Acker wanted to see the sugar industry in the state expanded as well. Acker was against taxes that