Is state Sen. Dan Gelber considering bailing on the Democratic primary for Senate now that uber-popular Gov. Charlie Crist has made his candidacy official? The St. Pete Times has a teaser:
Certainly a lot of Florida Democrats want to avoid divisive primaries and Dan Gelber would be a natural candidate for attorney general, but the Miami Beach Democrat says he remains a U.S. Senate candidate, for now.
“I’m not shutting any doors,” he said about an A.G. run, which unlike the US Senate, would require him to resign his state senate job.
If Gelber, himself a former federal prosecutor, decides to run for state attorney general instead, he will likely face a competitive primary. Dave Aronberg, one of Gelber’s caucus-mates, says that he will run for the job if incumbent AG Bill McCollum (R) runs for Governor, which seems likely.
UPDATE: Perhaps surprisingly, Dem Rep. Ron Klein says that he’s not shutting any doors, either, on a Senate run.
Aronberg run in FL-16. Although that’s against an incumbent, so maybe not as tempting… but still, a freshman in a swing district? He should go for it.
While it’s not clear yet whether he will get out or not, Meek, the one who’s supposedly the light weight, has said he’s running regardless of Crist.
Klein waits until Crist gets in to show any interest in a run? WTH.
a Democratic resurgence in Florida? I’m not putting money on it. . .
If Jeb continues to pussyfoot around or even obliquely support Rubio, that in itself is a surprising difference from Pennsylvania six years ago, when Santorum and the troops rallied around Specter, helping him barely pull out a primary victory. Rubio is more telegenic than Toomey, and he’s a more compelling candidate. The Florida Republican electorate, however diverse it’s alleged to be, is probably moving toward an exclusionary frame of mind, along with the rest of the party. Therefore, despite initial polls predictably showing Crist ahead, it’s likely that there’s a real battle ahead. I think the outcome is in doubt right now. That’s the realistic perspective.
So that leaves it to the Democrats to produce a viable candidate–a Kay Hagen for the Sunshine State. I don’t know if we’ve got one right now, but I sure hope we do or that we find one quick. We can win this, especially if Crist is knocked off in the primary, but potentially even if he survives, bloody and bowed.
I hope Aronberg wins the AG primary. He’s more impressive than Gelber.
I hope Klein doesn’t jump in the Senate race. We need him to hold that house seat and I doubt even he could beat Crist.
Senate – Mel Martinez – Retiring – OPEN SEAT
Governor – Charlie Crist – Running for Senate – OPEN SEAT
Lt. Gov. – Jeff Kottkamp – Runs as a ticket with Gov – OPEN SEAT
Attorney General – Bill McCollum – Likely to run for Governor – Likely OPEN SEAT
Chief Financial Officer – Alex Sink – Likely to run for Governor – Likely OPEN SEAT
Agriculture Commissioner – Charles Bronson – Term Limited Out – OPEN SEAT
So, if I am correct, it is likely that every statewide position in Florida that is on the ballot in 2010 will be an open seat. Amazing.
It feels like he got in to the senate race in the hope that nobody else would, so he could lose respectably and build a profile to win a future statewide race.
I guess with Meek’s fundraising and higher visibility, he’s not seeing a route to beat him without going negative (and you don’t want to do that in a Florida primary, especially if you’re a Jewish liberal from Miami and your opponent is the first credible black statewide candidate).
I think it’s a pity if he does move over to AG, as he did seem like a candidate who would at least have softened up Crist, but that’s life.