TAMPA, Fla. — Jan. 9 is a day of mourning for former president Jimmy Carter.

Longtime Florida politician Pat Frank reflects on her time campaigning for Carter during his run for president.

Frank has fond memories of Carter.

“He was just a person that you just want to be. He is kind. He is very timid to talk about himself,” Frank said.

She worked with him during his presidential campaign that catapulted Carter into the White House from 1977 to 1981. She said he was very different from other politicians.

“He says he is no better than anyone else," Frank said. "You know. there are a lot of people in high offices both in industry and government — they don’t think that way — they want to be on the top. He just wants to get the job done and he’s doing it for the people."

Frank herself has an incredible life story.

She was the first woman in her class at Georgetown University Law School. Her accomplishments include being a school board member, working to improve school conditions for Black students during desegregation, to being elected to the Florida House of Representatives and later to the state senate.

She eventually retired at age 91 as the Hillsborough County Clerk.