1968Final results
1968 election for Florida House District 82
Florida House of Representatives · Florida
8 seats: George L. Caldwell (R), Richard A. Bird (R), Joel K. Gustafson (R), C. Lavon Ward (R), Henry J. Prominski (R), Arthur H. Rude (R), Joseph M. Martinez Jr. (R), Charles Jim King (R) won.
8 seatsGeorge L. CaldwellRepublican · winner
8.1%98,953
Richard A. BirdRepublican · winner · incumbent
7.9%96,384
Joel K. GustafsonRepublican · winner
7.8%95,629
C. Lavon WardRepublican · winner
7.5%92,115
Henry J. ProminskiRepublican · winner · incumbent
7.3%89,741
Arthur H. RudeRepublican · winner · incumbent
7.3%89,322
Joseph M. Martinez Jr.Republican · winner
7.1%86,831
Charles Jim KingRepublican · winner
7.1%86,367
John O. CalvinDemocrat
5.3%64,500
John F. RingDemocrat
5.2%64,096
Walter C. YoungDemocrat
5.2%63,517
Ed HaddadDemocrat
5.2%63,285
E. C. JohnsonDemocrat
5.0%61,112
Alcee HastingsDemocrat
4.8%58,355
Richard R. HaasDemocrat
4.6%56,228
W. R. SouthworthDemocrat
4.5%55,266
1,221,701 votes
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1968
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
George L. Caldwell (R)Richard A. Bird (R)Joel K. Gustafson (R)C. Lavon Ward (R)Henry J. Prominski (R)Arthur H. Rude (R)Joseph M. Martinez Jr. (R)Charles Jim King (R)John O. Calvin (D)John F. Ring (D)Walter C. Young (D)Ed Haddad (D)E. C. Johnson (D)
Also on the ballot: Alcee Hastings (Democrat), 4.8%; Richard R. Haas (Democrat), 4.6%; W. R. Southworth (Democrat), 4.5%