Jim Sebesta
Jim Sebesta | |
|---|---|
| File:Senator Jim Sebesta.jpg | |
| 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 |
| Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections | |
| In office 1970–1974 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 24, 1935 Pontiac, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | January 29, 2024 (aged 88) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jean |
| Children | Six |
| Residence | Tampa, Florida |
| Alma mater | Loyola University (BSC) DePaul University (MBA) |
| Profession | Real Estate/Broker/Developer, |
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][8]
Jim was a devout Catholic and a leader in several Parishes (especially Corpus Christi in Temple Terrace) and was an eloquent Lector every Sunday. He sacrificed much to make sure all six children had Catholic educations from kindergarten through high school.[9]
Early life
[edit | edit source]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).[10]
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.[10]
Political career
[edit | edit source]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.[10]
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.[10]
After stepping down from the Senate in 2006, Sebesta was appointed to the Florida Transportation Commission by Governor Rick Scott.[10]
Death
[edit | edit source]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.[10]
References
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- ^ James Sebesta obituary
- ^ Former state Sen. Jim Sebesta dies at 88
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- 1935 births
- 2024 deaths
- People from Pontiac, Illinois
- Loyola University Chicago alumni
- DePaul University alumni
- People from Lake Wales, Florida
- Politicians from Tampa, Florida
- Politicians from St. Petersburg, Florida
- Republican Party Florida state senators
- Deaths from dementia in Florida
- American Catholics
- 20th-century members of the Florida Legislature
- 21st-century members of the Florida Legislature
- Florida state senator stubs