Gov. Askew was a dedicated public servant who passed open government (sunshine) laws, which greatly cut down on corruption in Florida. Yes, he was for reapportionment even though it did not advantage his district, and he helped desegregate Florida socially and civilly.
He was also both an Army paratrooper and an Air Force intelligence officer.
On a personal note, he was a dear friend to my family, and greatly supported us with counsel and advice when my father (a state representative) died unexpectedly.
If one knew the man personally, then perhaps one would be more circumspect in offering up criticism of him at his death. He entered the public ring, and acquitted himself well. He was well honorable in life, and I would hope he’d be well honored in his death.
Peace be unto his family...
He was a total jackass. He ran as a conservative then governed as a radical liberal.
He pardoned two Black men who had murdered a filling station attendant. They became a civil rights cause despite being totally guilty. They were given 3 new trials and found guilty each time.
Since they could not get away with murder via the courts, Askew gave them a pardon then gave them a huge amount of taxpayer money. They were the Travon Martins of the day.
Any liberal cause, he supported.