Peter Joelson (1926-2005) was an American actor who ran for Governor of Florida in November 1959 against Lieutenant-Governor Robert Rizzo. However, the Mafia beat Joelson up, ruining his looks, which were his only advantage over Rizzo.
Biography[]
Peter Joelson was born in 1926 to a family of English descent in Florida. Joelson became an actor noted for his good looks, and he eventually decided to enter politics when he believed that he knew what was best for his state. In November 1959 he ran against Lieutenant-Governor Robert Rizzo, and they were scheduled to have a televised debate. Rizzo could beat Joelson at policy, but Joelson's looks attracted many female voters. Rizzo made a deal with organized crime figure Dominic Corleone, the boss of a powerful crime family in New York, Florida, and Cuba, in which Dominic would beat up Joelson to ruin his looks, in exchange for ensuring that the police stayed far away if his men were in the hospital. Dominic headed to Deco Beach, where he was addressing a small crowd, and he bribed a police officer to give him some space. Dominic beat up Joelson, and he also proceeded to rob the Security 1st Savings and Loan bank of $9,000. Joelson was defeated in the televised debate, ruining his chances of beating Rizzo.