Family of Gravely Ill Former Gov. Reubin Askew at his Side

Former Florida Gov. Reubin Askew, the states 37th governor, is in very grave condition at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, where he was admitted Saturday.

According to Ron Sachs, a former aide to Askew, over the past three months the governor has suffered from aspiration pneumonia, hip surgery and, most recently, a stroke.

Gov. Askews condition is being closely monitored by family members at his side, including his wife of 57 years, Donna Lou, son Kevin Askew and his wife Christine, and daughter Angela White.

Gov. Askew, 85, served as the states chief executive from 1971-1979. Previously, he represented the Pensacola area in the Florida Senate. After leaving office, he served as U.S. trade ambassador in the Carter administration and currently holds an eminent scholar chair at the Reubin O'D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University.

The family asks that any media inquiries be directed to Sachs, now president of Sachs Media Group. He can be reached at 850-222-1996 or cell 850-321-8048, or media can contact Jon Peck at 850-222-1996 or cell 850-591-1715.