Stephen P. Clark

Stephen Patrick Clark (November 19, 1923 – June 4, 1996) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Metropolitan Dade County (now Miami-Dade County), Florida from 1970 to 1972 and from 1974 to April 1993, when a federal judge abolished the post. He was also Mayor of Miami from 1967 to 1970 and from 1993 to his death from stomach cancer in 1996.

Early life and family

Clark was a brother of Florida state senator Dick Clark.

Political career In 1993, The Washington Post described Clark as an "old-style, ribbon-cutting politician." Upon his death in 1996, the Miami Herald lauded his political longevity to his penchant for inclusivity and fairness to all communities.

Miami and its surrounding county endured many eventful years over the course of his years as an elected mayor, including race riots, waves of arrivals of Cuban refugees, and hurricanes. Some critics derided him as the "marshmallow" mayor, due to his ability to avoid political damage from controversies and tumult that Miami and the county endured over the course of his career. a position which was rotated between members of the city commission.

First tenure as city mayor (1967–1970) After the death-in-office of Mayor Robert King High, as the next-in-line (being vice mayor), Clark ascended to the city's mayoralty. He ran for election to a full term as city mayor later that year, winning election with 26,471 votes (73.95% of the overall vote). He was re-elected in 1969, receiving 17,378 votes (76.81% of the overall vote).

Tenures as county mayor (1970–1972; 1974–1993) In 1970, Clark was elected mayor of Metropolitan Dade County (county executive), He held the position until 1972. From 1974 until 1993, Clark served a second (and longer) stint as county mayor.

Second tenure as city mayor (1993–1996)

In 1993, Clark won an election to again serve as mayor of the City of Miami, defeating a popular opponent (City Commissioner Miriam Alonso).

Death and legacy Clark died of stomach cancer at the age of 72 on June 4, 1996. His death came at his residence in Miami with his wife, Teresa, beside him.

The Stephen P. Clark Government Center, the county hall of Miami-Dade County, is named in his honor.