Changes

I===As state representative===

I===As state representative===

In 1950, Cramer ran for state representative and was the campaign manager for the Pinellas County Republican slate, none of whose fourteen members had previously sought office. The Republicans decried inefficient government and "boss-type" politics, organized the grassroots, and offered a unified ticket. All but one of the GOP candidates were elected. Cramer became the "titular head" of the party in Pinellas County. In 1974, the Republican State Executive Committee honored Cramer as Florid<ref>"Cramer v. Kirk'' <a's "Mr. Republican." In 1967, ''The Tampa Tribune'' humorously paraphrased the biblical Book of John: "In the beginning there was the party, and the party was with Bill Cramer, and the party was Bill Cramer."<ref>"Cramer v. Kirk," p. 405.</ref>

In 1950, Cramer ran for state representative and was the campaign manager for the Pinellas County Republican slate, none of whose fourteen members had previously sought office. The Republicans decried inefficient government and "boss-type" politics, organized the grassroots, and offered a unified ticket. All but one of the GOP candidates were elected. Cramer became the "titular head" of the party in Pinellas County. In 1974, the Republican State Executive Committee honored Cramer as Florid "Mr. Republican." In 1967, ''The Tampa Tribune'' humorously paraphrased the biblical Book of John: "In the beginning there was the party, and the party was with Bill Cramer, and the party was Bill Cramer."<ref>"Cramer v. Kirk," p. 405.</ref>

When Cramer's two Republican legislative colleagues in 1951 named him minority leader, the Democrats teased them for "caucusing in a phone booth."<ref>"Cramer v. Kirk," p. 405.</ref> Because the Florida legislature operates under the same parliamentary rules as the United States House of Representatives, Cramer asserted "minority rights," and raised his personal and the party visibility in state politics. In the state House, Cramer defended junior colleges from challenges waged by the four-year institutions. Having attended a two-year institution, Cramer considered junior colleges essential to lower-cost educational opportunities for state residents. Cramer worked to establish the state's first anti-crime commission, but the Democrats refused to name any Republicans to the panel.<ref>"Cramer v. Kirk," p. 405</ref> He spent $25,000 in a handshaking tour of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Hernando counties, Cramer benefited from the national Eisenhower-Nixon ticket but lost by 0.7 percent. He was appointed as the Pinellas county attorney and served for two years.<ref>Cramer, ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress,'' p. 697.</ref>

When Cramer's two Republican legislative colleagues in 1951 named him minority leader, the Democrats teased them for "caucusing in a phone booth."<ref>"Cramer v. Kirk," p. 405.</ref> Because the Florida legislature operates under the same parliamentary rules as the United States House of Representatives, Cramer asserted "minority rights," and raised his personal and the party visibility in state politics. In the state House, Cramer defended junior colleges from challenges waged by the four-year institutions. Having attended a two-year institution, Cramer considered junior colleges essential to lower-cost educational opportunities for state residents. Cramer worked to establish the state's first anti-crime commission, but the Democrats refused to name any Republicans to the panel.<ref>"Cramer v. Kirk," p. 405</ref> He spent $25,000 in a handshaking tour of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Hernando counties, Cramer benefited from the national Eisenhower-Nixon ticket but lost by 0.7 percent. He was appointed as the Pinellas county attorney and served for two years.<ref>Cramer, ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress,'' p. 697.</ref>