Post # 318, Bob McKnight's Florida Commentary
He was the first General Counsel selected by Governor Reuben Askew in 1970.
Senator Ed Dunn had a distinguished professional career path starting in his hometown of Daytona Beach. He was a star football player who won an athletic scholarship to the University of Florida. He was a letterman and played on the 1960 Gator Bowl team. After graduating with a B.A. degree, he went on to take his law degree in Gainesville in 1967. He was Chancellor of the UF Student Honor Court and President of the John Marshall Bar Association Law Review.
When Reuben Askew became governor in 1970, he selected Senator Dunn as his General Counsel. Dunn served Florida in multiple legal roles as Chairman of the Organized Crime Task Force, Assistant State Attorney for the 7th Judicial District, and Assistant City Attorney for Daytona Beach.
He was elected to the Florida Senate, being selected as Chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary-Criminal Committee. He was closely aligned with Governor Askew's criminal justice initiatives, including the herald RICO crime legislation. He was rumored to be on the shortlist for Supreme Court and District Court of Appeal appointments.
I worked closely with the Senator starting in 1978 under both the Lewis and Childers' administrations in the Senate. When Senator Barron formed his conservative coalition with the Republicans, Senator Dunn became the powerful Rules Chairman for the Senate, keeping order in the senior body.
Ed Dunn was one of the smartest and most skillful lawmakers during the Golden Age of the Florida Legislature, in my opinion. His experience, temperament, and intelligence made him a great voice for freedom in Tallahassee. He is so very missed today.