Summary
James Alvin Sebesta (August 24, 1935 – January 29, 2024) was an American politician. He served as a Republican member of the Florida Senate from 1998 to 2006.[3][4] He previously served as Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections from 1970 to 1974.[5] He died on January 29, 2024, at the age of 88.[6][7]
Jim Sebesta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 16th district | |
| In office 2002–2006 | |
| Preceded by | Locke Burt[1] |
| Succeeded by | Charlie Justice |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 20th district | |
| In office 1999–2003 | |
| Preceded by | Charlie Crist[2] |
| Succeeded by | Anna Cowin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 24, 1935 Pontiac, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | January 29, 2024 (aged 88) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jean |
| Children | Six |
| Residence | Tampa, Florida |
| Alma mater | Loyola University (BSC) DePaul University (MBA) |
| Profession | Real Estate/Broker/Developer, |
Early life edit
Sebesta was born in Pontiac, Illinois on August 24, 1935, and studied at Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University, from where he attained a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).[8]
Sebesta and his wife, Jean, subsequently moved to Florida where he became general manager of a radio station in Lake Wales, and a member of the Lake Wales City Commission.[8]
Political career edit
He became Hillsborough County elections supervisor in 1972, succeeding Jim Fair, and ran unsuccessfully to become Secretary of State of Florida two years later. In 1976, he oversaw the Florida division of Gerald Ford's Presidential campaign.[8]
Sebesta and his family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1984, where he started a home building company. He returned to politics in 1998, elected to the Florida State Senate and becoming Republican majority whip and transportation committee chairman.[8]
After stepping down from the Senate in 2006, Sebesta was appointed to the Florida Transportation Commission by Governor Rick Scott.[8]
Death edit
Sebesta died following complications from dementia on January 29, 2024, aged 88; at the time of his death he had six children, 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.[8]
References edit
- ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 16 Race - Nov 05, 2002". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 20 Race - Nov 03, 1998". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "Florida Senators". uflib.ufl.edu. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart.
- ^ "Former Florida Senator Jim Sebesta (R) | LobbyTools". public.lobbytools.com.
- ^ James Sebesta obituary
- ^ Former state Sen. Jim Sebesta dies at 88
- ^ a b c d e f "Former Florida state Sen. Jim Sebesta dead at 88". Tampa Bay Times. January 31, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.