Arnold Picker

Who was Arnold Picker?

Arnold M. Picker was a United States film industry executive, mayor of Golden Beach, Florida and the number one enemy on Richard Nixon's list of targets.

Picker began his career by following in his father's footsteps. In 1935 he started with Columbia Pictures, where his father had been an executive, and worked his way up the company's ladder to become head of international distribution. He then joined United Artists where in the 1960s he was made an executive vice president. His motion picture career ended and political career began when President Lyndon B. Johnson named him to the International Commission on Education and Cultural Affairs.

In 1972, Picker served as the finance chairman of Senator Edmund S. Muskie's Presidential campaign and in 1976 he worked as a top fundraiser for Henry M. Jackson's campaign. Picker was so effective as a liberal advocate that he was singled out by President Richard M. Nixon's reelection strategists as the top target of a list of 20 people on Nixon's Enemies List. This list came to light during the Watergate scandal. Mr. Picker was elected mayor of Golden Beach in 1979.