MIAMI -- Tampa attorney Bill McBride, who came out of nowhere to win the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2002 but lost to then-Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, has died at the age of 67.
His wife Alex Sink said Sunday that McBride suffered a fatal heart attack Saturday while visiting with family in Mount Airy, N.C. Sink was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2010, losing to now-Gov. Rick Scott. The couple made their home outside of Tampa.
Sink said McBride had suffered from heart problems for years.
McBride defeated former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno in the Democratic primary to run against Bush. Before entering politics, he was managing partner at the prestigious Holland & Knight law firm.
Sink said McBride's true legacy is as a longtime civil rights champion.
_________________
Read: Fire Destroys Gideon Grove United Methodist Church In Stokesdale
Watch: Patriot Guard Escorts Hero From MD To Concord, NC
Read: Wells Fargo Employee, 1 Other Arrested For Embezzlement
Watch: Houston, Hagman, James Top 2012 Celebrity Deaths
Read: Police: Woman Arrested After Stabbing Boyfriend
Read: Police: Pedestrian Killed In Accident Had .24 BAC
Gallery: Fire Destroys Gideon UMC Church In Stokesdale
7-Day Forecast