Don Chamberlin

Don Chamberlin
Member of the Florida Senate from the 19th district
In office
November 2, 1976 – November 4, 1980
Preceded byRichard Deeb
Succeeded byJerry Rehm
Personal details
Born(1935-12-13)December 13, 1935
Dunedin, Florida
DiedSeptember 14, 2024(2024-09-14) (aged 88)
Oldsmar, Florida
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
Therese "Terry" McBride
​
​
(m. 1961; div. 1995)​
Children2
EducationSt. Petersburg Junior College
Florida State University (B.A., M.A.)
OccupationTeacher

Donald Leslie Chamberlin (December 13, 1935 – September 14, 2024) was a Democratic politician from Florida who served as a member of the Florida Senate from the 19th district from 1976 to 1980.

Early life

Chamberlin was born in Dunedin, Florida, in 1935. He attended St. Petersburg Junior College and graduated from Florida State University with his bachelor's degree in 1959 and master's degree in 1968. Chamberlin was a teacher in Pinellas County Schools, and served as the president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association.

Florida Senate

In 1976, Chamberlin ran for the Florida Senate from the 19th district, challenging incumbent Republican State Senator Richard Deeb for re-election. He attacked Deeb as a "poor leader" and a "fear-monger," and criticized him for pushing "publicity-stunt" legislation. Chamberlin narrowly defeated Deeb, winning 51 percent of the vote to his 49 percent.

Chamberlin ran for re-election in 1980, and was challenged by Republican Jerry Rehm, the former mayor of Dunedin. Rehm argued that Chamberlin was out of step with the district, and unseated him by a thin margin, receiving 52 percent of the vote to his 48 percent.

Death

Chamberlin died September 14, 2024.

References

  1. ↑ Florida Senate Handbook, 1978–1980 (PDF). Secretary of the Florida Senate. 1979. p. 12.
  2. 1 2 Maunder, Jill (October 15, 1976). "Deeb-Chamberlin: A bitter race for the Senate". St. Petersburg Time. p. 4B. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Teacher To Campaign". The Tampa Tribune. July 9, 1976. p. 4-B. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Tabulation of Official Votes Florida General Election: November 2, 1976 (PDF). Florida Secretary of State. 1976. p. 3. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  5. ↑ Stublen, Nash (November 3, 1976). "Chamberlin Ousts Deeb; Four Incumbents Win". The Tampa Tribune. p. 3-B. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Hilliard, Ardith (July 19, 1980). "Ex-Dunedin Mayor Rehm may seek Senate seat". St. Petersburg Times. p. 12B. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Florida GOP Expecting Big Gains". Naples Daily News. October 26, 1980. p. 1B. Retrieved July 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "November 4, 1980 General Election - State Senator District: 19". Florida Department of Elections. 1980. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Donald L. Chamberlin". Hubbell Funeral Home and Crematory. 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2026.