There still seems to be speculation on exactly when the Pork Chop Gang fell after the U.S. Supreme Court stepping into Florida to force “one person, one vote.” Although the “Choppers” didn’t have the votes starting in 1966, they tenaciously held on to control through seasoned manipulation of the rules of the Senate and House of Representatives…and they didn’t let go quickly.
I believe the final dagger was thrust into the heart of the Pork Chop Gang a full 10 years later during what is called “The Attack on Entebbe.” A popular social event was scheduled during the Session called “The Redneck” Party and all were making plans to attend in great spirits. The Pork Chop Candidate for Speaker of the House during 1978-80 was likable Ed Fortune of Pace against brash upstart Hyatt Brown of Daytona Beach. Little known but to about a half a dozen of us, the Brown team had been planning the ‘sneak attack’ on the Pork Chop Gang for months, and the night of the big party was strike time. In the darkness of night 62 legislators scurried around Tallahassee to gather signatures requesting current Speaker Don Tucker (D., Tallahassee) call an immediate vote to elect Brown Speaker-Elect. The dagger was inserted that next morning about 5:15 in the morning when Brown delivered the signed pledges to Tucker. It was the final blow for the Pork Chop Gang–the power was shifted that night.
