David T. Kennedy

David Thomas Kennedy (April 7, 1934 – September 4, 2014) was an American attorney and politician. Kennedy served as the Mayor of Miami from 1970 until 1973.

Background Kennedy received his B.A. and M.A. from Florida State University and graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1958.

Kennedy also served as director of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Government Research Council. In the general election, Kennedy joined Democrats for Nixon, becoming its vice president. After Nixon's reelection, it was also rumored that Kennedy would be offered an ambassadorship in Latin America, but nothing came to fruition.

Bribery controversy In 1973, Kennedy became engulfed in a bribery controversy, alongside political insider Frank Martin, Mina Davidson, Temperance Wright, and judges Jack Turner and Murray Goodman. As early as 1971, the Dade County Sheriff's Office and the Miami Police Department secretly began investigating Martin, who was known to have influence with local officials. Kennedy, a friend of Davidson, arranged a meeting with Martin to get Judge Turner to reduce the drug-related sentence of Davidson's son. Despite having the charges cleared, however, Kennedy, who was up for reelection in November 1973, chose not to run. Ferre was elected to his first full term on November 8, 1973.

Post-mayoralty After leaving office, Kennedy resumed his law career and maintained an active presence in Dade County politics. In 1974, Kennedy successfully lobbied to install Don Hickman as Miami's fire chief, despite the fact that Hickman did not have a college education. Kennedy also served as a strategist for his wife Rosario Kennedy's successful campaign for city commissioner in the 1985. Rosario Kennedy was later appointed vice mayor. In 1986, Kennedy, along with hotel magnate Steve Muss, led a statewide campaign to legalize casinos in a referendum later that year.

Personal life Kennedy was married to Marie Cicirelli Petit, then Rosario Kennedy from 1978–1987. He was later married to ballerina Miriam M. Suarez from 1989–1990. Kennedy had three children with his wives.

Ferre, inspired by his predecessor, named one of the parks that Kennedy helped create after him: David T. Kennedy Park, in Coconut Grove, Miami.

At the time of his death, Kennedy lived in Coral Gables.