Kenneth Hood "Buddy" MacKay Jr. (March 22, 1933 – December 31, 2024) was an American politician and diplomat who served as the 42nd governor of Florida from December 12, 1998, to January 5, 1999, upon the death of Lawton Chiles.

Jan 2, 2025 · Former Florida Gov. Buddy MacKay has died at age 91. His son told The Associated Press that the former Democratic governor took a nap at his home in Ocklawaha, Florida, on Tuesday and never woke up.

Jan 2, 2025 · Kenneth “Buddy” MacKay, who as lieutenant governor became Florida’s most recent Democratic governor in 1998 on the sudden death of Gov. Lawton Chiles, died New Year’s Eve afternoon at his home in...

Jan 2, 2025 · TALLAHASSEE — Former Florida Gov. Kenneth “Buddy” MacKay, 91, died peacefully during an afternoon nap at his home in Ocala surrounded by his wife and sons on New Year’s Eve, a family spokesman...

Jan 3, 2025 · Former Gov. Buddy MacKay, a longtime Florida politician who became governor for nearly a month following the abrupt death of Gov. Lawton Chiles in late 1998, died in his sleep on Tuesday...

Jan 2, 2025 · TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Former Florida Gov. Buddy MacKay, who lost to Jeb Bush in 1998 but still served 23 days in office after the sudden death of Gov. Lawton Chiles, has died. He was 91.

Jan 2, 2025 · TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Former Florida Gov. Buddy MacKay, who lost to Jeb Bush in 1998 but still served 23 days in office after the sudden death of Gov. Lawton Chiles, has died. He was 91.

Jan 2, 2025 · TALLAHASSEE — Former Florida Gov. Kenneth “Buddy” MacKay, 91, died peacefully during an afternoon nap at his home in Ocala surrounded by his wife and sons on New Year’s Eve, a family spokesman said Thursday.

Jan 4, 2025 · Buddy MacKay, who had a distinguished career in politics, and whose family has deep roots in Marion County, died at home at the age of 91 on Dec. 31, 2024. Brothers Buddy, left, and George MacKay, lost their father early in life and had to take over the elder MacKay’s businesses and land holdings. [Photo courtesy MacKay family]

Jan 2, 2025 · Former Florida Gov. Buddy MacKay, who lost to Jeb Bush in 1998 but still served 23 days in office after the sudden death of Gov. Lawton Chiles, has died. He was 91. The former Democratic governor took a nap after lunch at his home in Ocklawaha, Florida, on Tuesday and never woke up, his son Ken MacKay told The Associated Press.