This series is comprised of correspondence, reports, notes, background material, memoranda, and meeting minutes. Although most files contain correspondence, some are subject files that include publications, reports and similar material on a certain topic or topics. Prominent topics include education, environmental conservation, Florida politics and economics, and health care. Other topics include the Equal Rights Amendment, the Cross Florida Barge Canal, aging, Dade County issues, desegregation, the Education Commission of the States, Lands for You, abortion, Interama, 4 Clean Water, the Select Council on Post-High School Education (SCOPE), underground power, the YMCA, and land use. Files are arranged alphabetically.

This series consists primarily of materials pertaining to Graham-sponsored legislation, including copies of bills, correspondence, and reports. In addition, the series includes some material on general legislation not sponsored by Graham, as well as correspondence related to this legislation. A small amount of federal and non-Florida legislation is also included. Although most of the files deal with specific pieces of legislation or legislative issues, there are also several files containing legislative summaries of bills introduced by Graham during specific sessions. A small portion of the material pertains to the activities and organization of the Florida legislature. Files are arranged alphabetically, and many folders also contain bill numbers (e.g., SB 56) in the folder title.

Correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, notes, memoranda, press releases, and materials related to committee hearings. Most of the committees are either Senate or House of Representatives, but there are a small number of joint or special committees. Most of the files pertain to education, particularly those from the Senate Committee on Education, the Interim Committee on Higher Education, and the other education-related committees. In addition, there is a great deal of overlap between the various House committees from 1966 to 1970 pertaining to education: Appropriations, Higher Education, Public Schools. Files are arranged alphabetically.

This series is comprised of speeches and the outlines of speeches made by Graham. In addition to the speech outlines, statements, and addresses, the majority of the files also contain correspondence, notes, and background material pertaining to the speeches. Files are arranged alphabetically.

In addition to news clippings, this series contains a small amount of press releases, newsletters, and correspondence. A large number of "Scrapbook" files, as named by Graham's office staff, contain a few letters and certificates in addition to the clippings. Files are arranged alphabetically.

This series includes material related to official and personal trips. The majority of the files represent meetings attended by Graham, including meetings of the Education Commission of the States, the League of Women Voters, Southern Regional Education Board, and congressional meetings in various Florida cities. Files are arranged alphabetically.

This series consists primarily of itineraries and schedules from 1977 and 1978, during the gubernatorial election. In addition to Graham's itineraries, the files also include those of his running mate, Wayne Mixson. In addition to campaign activities and venues, the itineraries represent official activities during this period. Files are arranged chronologically.

This small series includes files of memoranda and other documents created or received by Graham's staff members. In addition, it includes material related to staffing and the organization of the Florida Senate. Files are arranged alphabetically.

This series primarily consists of articles written by Graham for journals, newspapers, and newsletters. In addition to these published articles, the files contain drafts, notes, and correspondence pertaining to the articles. The monograph Workdays: Finding Florida on the Job is included, along with a draft version and reviews.

Campaign Files document Graham's rise in Florida politics from state representative in 1966 to governor in both 1978 and 1982. Additionally, campaign files also document Graham's aid to electing fellow Democrats, Broward Williams, Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte, Robert King High, and LeRoy Collins. Files are arranged chronologically from 1966 to 1982. The largest amount of material relates to Graham's first campaign for governor of Florida in 1978. Furthermore, Graham kept abreast of statewide campaigns throughout his own political bids and material related to those races can be found in general files from 1966 to 1972.

Graham's early political career coincided with major changes in Florida's election process. Fair representation among Florida's southern and northern legislative districts was a contentious issue and resulted in court ordered reapportionment in 1966 and a new Florida Constitution in 1968. For Graham and other legislators elected to serve in 1966 this federal mandate demanded a new election be held in 1967. Additionally, the Florida Constitution of 1968 also called for reapportionment in 1972. Graham's political career was once more affected. In 1970, Graham won a seat in the State Senate, but the 1972 reapportionment of his district triggered another election. Graham ran unopposed that year and fellow legislator, Rep. Louis Wolfson II wrote to Graham, "Congratulations on the good judgment shown by any potential opposition you might have had." Campaign files do not include records from Graham's successful bids for U.S. Senate in 1986, 1992 and 1998.

The earliest campaign records date to Graham's 1966 bid for the Florida Legislature where he represented a portion of Dade County. Materials include correspondence, endorsements, publicity files, surveys and clippings. Graham's campaign brochure touted his unique combination of urban-rural administrative experience as a community developer, dairy farmer, and Harvard educated attorney. After securing victory in the Democratic primary in May of 1966, congratulations poured in. On May 16, State Representative Robert Shevin expressed his best wishes for Graham. Shevin would later become Graham's main opposition in the Democratic primary for governor in 1978.

Similar to Graham, Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte, a fellow Democrat, also sought a seat in the Florida Legislature in 1966. Correspondence between the two candidates reveals a playful relationship. Graham also hosted a series of events on D'Alemberte's behalf.

In addition to his own campaign in 1966, Graham worked on the Broward Williams campaign for state treasurer. For Williams, Graham served as campaign manager from Dade County. Materials relate to the Williams campaign organization and include campaign committee files, correspondence, and schedules.

The 1966 legislative session was short lived as Florida faced a court mandated reapportionment. Of reapportionment, Graham wrote to Jay Morton of the Hialeah Home News on February 13, 1967. He stated, "As you can see, legislators are not the only people who had difficulty figuring out what the court was going to do." In the special election of 1967, Graham relied on his brief but impressive experience in the Florida House being the only freshman representative from Dade County to serve on the all-important Appropriations Committee. Files from the special election of 1967 include correspondence, endorsements, and items from the Democratic Executive Committee of Dade County.