Florida’s CFO Alex Sink is making calls, telling people that she has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate, a seat that will be open in 2010. That probably assures that state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach will get in, and likely makes the race more attractive to U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd of Monticello.
There’s no doubt that Sink was our best bet. Without her, I’d have to hope that someone like Ron Klein enters the race instead of a first-class jerk like Boyd.
Here’s Sink’s statement:
“Over the past several weeks, I have given serious and careful thought to my own future and, more importantly, to the future of our state. And I am extremely grateful for the support and advice so many friends and fellow Floridians have shared. I believe my skills and abilities are of greatest use here in Florida, where I am honored to serve as Chief Financial Officer. And I will run for re-election as Chief Financial Officer to continue being a fiscal watchdog on behalf of the people of Florida.”
UPDATE: Sounds like Dan Gelber will be throwing his hat in the ring shortly:
Dan Gelber: “I was prepared to fully support Alex had she chosen the US Senate seat as her next step in public life, and it is now my hope to share the ballot with her in 2010 as we work together as Floridians to bring real change to our state and restore the dream of a time past, when the state that we love was a beacon of a better life for anyone who seeks it. “Given this morning’s news, I expect to officially enter the race in the coming weeks.”
Ok, so come on Ron!!! Or who knows, maybe Meek can pull it off after all.
Is it likely she wants to run for Governor sometime in the future instead? If so, would she run in 2010?
…..and that will make it easier for Sink to run for Gov in 2010. I think maybe she heard some rumors that Crist was in
I can’t think of any other reason she would opt out.
When there was speculation that Jeb! might run, she declined. When he got out, she reconsidered. Now, with Meek in the primary, she drops out again. It sounds to me like she does not want to work for anything. She wants to be able to waltz in. I know every politiician would love to hae that luxury, but if they want an office badly enough, they will fight for it. Maybe we are better off.
for the same reason Rep. Roscoe Bartlett would have trouble winning statewide in Maryland…they both hold districts that are far different in political makeup from the state as a whole.
Not sure Gelber would be much stronger, coming from a heavily Democratic district in Miami.
With Sink out, Boyd would probably be a strong candidate, but Florida can do better nowadays, and we’d be at serious risk of losing his seat.
“instead of a first-class jerk like Boyd”
lol, why is Boyd a jerk? I know little of him dispite the fact he represents a district President Bush carried. Dont know if McCain carried it or not. I would like him to run just for that reason ;), though a party’s WH nominee winning a Congressional district is by no means a shoe in for that party to win the seat in the Congressional elections (see AL-5, MN-3).
but it’s too bad anyways.
Meek and Gelber don’t seem to have too big of differences on policy. Both have not been in tough elections. But Gelber has a much stronger record of helping Democrats so I’d be inclined to support him in a two way race. I wish he’d run for Attorney General instead though.
If Boyd runs I hope he gets crushed in the primary and his sorry political career is forever finished. I’d like to see Klein stick with his House seat.
I just hope this primary doesn’t get bloody or racially tinged.
Meek has a good enough record for me but there’s something about him that just doesn’t come across right. He just still seems a bit green and not ready for the US Senate.
Gelber meanwhile comes off very refined in his videos and speeches. The guy exudes confidence and I feel will do very well on the stump.
Just my quick impressions.
but not suprised she did not run. I always sensed she wanted to be governor. The real question is where do we go from here. I admit I do not know much about Dan Gelber, so I cannot make a judgement on him. Meek has shown in the past he is not a good team player, so I worry about him being Senator. I think Klein would be a good candidate, but I also like the idea of Kathy Castor as our nominee. Do any Floridians on here think she would be a viable candidate?
I’m really starting to fear a likely Marco Rubio run. And he’s the type who could hold a Senate seat in Florida for a long time. Hopefully a stereotypical white candidate like McCollum jumps in to make the GOP primary a nasty affair.