Coral Springs Mayor, Walter “Skip” Campbell, Jr. died on Tuesday, October 23rd. He was 69 years old.
The sudden death of the long-time Democrat has left a void in Broward County Democratic leadership. There will be a special election to fill the Coral Springs Mayor’s seat in March next year.
Campbell began his political career in 1996 by winning the race for State Senator in the 33rd District. He held that Senate seat for ten years. After leaving the Senate due to term limits, he ran for Florida State Attorney General in 2006, ultimately losing the race to Republican Bill McCollum. Campbell ran for and won the race for Mayor in 2014. He was standing for re-election this year and was unopposed.
Prior to his political career, Campbell was a successful trial attorney. He founded law firm Krupnick, Campbell, Malone, Buser, Hancock & Liberman with Jon Krupnick in 1975 and worked as and adjunct law professor at the Shepard Broad Law Center. He eventually became President of the Broward County Bar Association and served as a member of the Florida Election Commission.
While in private practice, Campbell sued the Dupont Company over fungicide caused crop damage and was part of a law suite credited with making cars safer.
An outpouring of condolences has come from all corners of the political spectrum. In particular, his actions after the shooting at Stoneham-Douglas High School were noted.
“It is with heavy hearts, and gratitude for a life lived in service of others that we mourn the passing of Walter ‘Skip’ Campbell… After witnessing firsthand the devastation and violence in Parkland… Skip acted with boldness of vision and leadership that marked his life, committing himself to the cause of banning military-style assault weapons in Florida,” said Gail Schwartz, chair of Ban Assault Weapons Now.
“He was my seat mate in the Florida Senate and was quick-witted, fun-loving, and always ready to reach across the aisle or bridge a divide to solve problems,” Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said.
Campbell had a sudden cardiac event while at home recovering from hip replacement surgery. City officials noted that he was active early that day, taking phone calls and doing business from home.
“The city of Coral Springs lost a great mayor and an even better man,” said John “J.J.” Hearn, the city’s attorney, “He truly was just a nice guy.”
“My heart is broke over the sudden loss of a friend,” said Commissioner Joy Carter. “Thirty-four years ago when I visited Coral Springs, I met Skip and Lynn Campbell.”
Skip Campbell is survived by his wife, Lynn, and two children.