Sink, Rubio, McCollum ponder Senate race
U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez's abrupt decision to not seek re-election could have a titanic effect on Florida politics. Here's one of the first signs: Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who would be considered a formidable Democratic candidate, is reassessing.
Politico.com quoted an anonymous source Monday as saying Sink would seek re-election as CFO, rather than run for governor or Senate in 2010, and hours later, Martinez announced he won't run. The Florida Democratic Party was expected to issue a statement Tuesday confirming that but it didn't happen. Said Sink's spokeswoman, Tara Klimek: "I can tell you that she's not ready to talk about her future."
Sink beat Republican Tom Lee in the 2006 CFO race. She has 28 years of banking experience, is from the vital I-4 corridor, and is well-liked in the business community. A Sink candidacy would narrow the field of Democratic candidates in a hurry.
On the other side, another possible U.S. Senate hopeful, Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum, says he'll take a serious look at a race in 2010. McCollum lost Senate bids in 2000 and 2004 (to Martinez in the primary) and says he loves his current job, but he spent 20 years in Congress and enjoyed serving there. "I haven't thought seriously about it," McCollum said. "I'm going to have to take a serious look at it, and I will over the next few weeks."
And there's also former House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Miami. "For quite some time, I've had an interest in running for statewide office. The announcement today creates a number of opportunities and I’m going to look at those over the next few days and make an announcement." Rubio appears to have been laying the groundwork for a run, establishing a YouTube site and obtaining a not-yet-live Web site, marcorubio.com. He has also spread his name by getting involved with GOPAC.
Steve Bousquet and Alex Leary, Times Staff Writers
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Rubio for US Senate!
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 01:21 PM
Might work in Dade County. The rest if the state says "who?"
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Sink could take the governor's seat, no problem.
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Amazing the nerve of Republicans; they give us the Worst President Ever, who promptly destroys our economy and gets us in a quagmire in Iraq, we've got Sansom stealing taxpayer money in Florida, and we've got two has been discredited GOP wingnuts in Rubio and Jeb both being touted for the Senate. Do we have such short memories or are we just terminally stupid here?
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Dave Aronberg for Senate!
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 02:15 PM
anyone here Iorio isn't ruling out the race?
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 02:16 PM
McCullom is old hat and better stay in his safe position as AG. He is seen as a professional politician constantly running for some other office.
Posted by: Bob A | December 02, 2008 at 02:24 PM
The GOP has no chance here, but McCollum is certainly the better choice. Not sure that Floridians are ready to see Sink leave Tallahassee yet. Sink or McCollum!
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Sink won't run. She want's to be Governor in 2014.
Boyd will run but won't get anywhere, hes too low key and has supported Bush on key issues, putting soc sec in the stock market one of them. That won't go over well in Century Village.
Dave Aronberg will run for Attorney General if McCollum goes for Senate.
Dem's best prospect looks like Ron Klein.
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Was dissapointed this morning when I read Alex wasn't going to run for Gov or Senate. Now I am elated....Go Alex!!! Like to see ya as Gov but I know you will be a great Senator.
Posted by: Wiseguy | December 02, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Sink - Goverenor
McCollum - Senate
Atwater - Attorney General
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 03:02 PM
KATHY CASTOR FOR U.S. SENATE She has proven time and again she fights the good fight. She has done an amazing job in the House. She was one of the few leaders who saw that bailout for the scam it was, as it has done nothing for the people who need help the most. She stood up to her own party and bravely voted no---and was proven correct quite quickly. As we have seen, it was a handout for the big banks---while homeowners got the shaft again. We need people like her in the senate. She is a great American, and has my vote---always!
Posted by: J | December 02, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Atwater cannot run for Attorney General, he doesn't have a law degree.
Looks like Daryl Jones is the only name in the mix for Governor. Crist might have an easy re-election.
I like Kendrick Meek. Meek is a progressive Democrat, young and very astute on the issues. I think he would be a great Senator but can he win statewide?
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 04:07 PM
It is generally accepted that the Attorney General be an attorney first, 3:02
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Kathy Castor would be an outstanding Senator.
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Congressman Meek!
Posted by: Bob | December 02, 2008 at 04:49 PM
NOooooooo Alan Boyd!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Bob | December 02, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Kendrick Meek for U.S. Senate. I think Obama has proven that an African American can win in Florida. Kendrick Meek is impressive, young and a progressive. Boyd is too low key and too conservative.
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 05:18 PM
JEB FOR U.S. SENATE
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 05:32 PM
I am sure JEB has devious plans for the Senate. What a clown. Worst Gov. EVER! The Bush stink will not go away for a very long time...
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 05:47 PM
hey, do i SMELL and indictment coming down the pike for mel 'wants to spend more time with his family for EIGHT years.'
One can hope. the whole hud thievery and all. That's BIG. But, all that's behind him now. There's a reason he stepped down as GOP chair ... didn't want to be looked at all that hard.
Anyway... NO SINK for governor.
She's not really a democrat.
You can't prove it by anyone who reads.
Posted by: voxy | December 02, 2008 at 06:16 PM
JIM DAVIS !!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 06:17 PM
I really do not want to see 2 years of Marco running up and down florida saying Jeb gave me the symbolic samurai sword of conservatism therefore I'm qualified!
It's time for the master to come out of retirement and take back his sword. Jeb needs to teach Marco and company that leadership is actually about taking a stance and sticking to your guns. Leadership is not thinking of an idea run away from it only to come back when it is a success.
Worse still is that in all the 8 1/2 years as a state rep. he only filed two bills and one was Dan Marino day? What kind of leadership is that Marco? Leadership is taking the road less traveled, leadership is standing your ground, especially when the heat is turned on. Marco Rubio abandoned a lot of people and let a few take the fall for him so that he would look pretty and he forgot about each and every one of them.
That's not leadership, that's being a coward. But than again it is never your fault right Marco?
Jeb your sword is hung on Marco's gun rack. Please swing by his house and pick it up.
Posted by: Jeb for Senate | December 02, 2008 at 10:08 PM
JEB: the schmuck.
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 11:01 PM
NEWS ALERT:
Georgia Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss wins run-off election over Jim Martin with around 60% of the votes with the help of superstar Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Chambliss brought in Palin as his closer. She headlined four rallies for Chambliss across the Gorgia Monday that drew thousands.
Some have put the run-off a preview of Obama versus Palin.
It looks like Barack Obama just got his first defeat before even getting into the White House.
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Obama was afraid to campaign in GA knowing Sarah Palin would likely help Saxby win?:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/12/saxby-chambliss.html
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Kendrick Meek for U.S. Senate
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 11:49 PM
No, they just wanted to be able to say ... WE DON'T HAVE A FILIBUSTER PROOF MAJORITY SO THAT THEY COULD KEEP SCREWING THE RABBLE WITHOUT IT BEING TOO OBVIOUS.
Posted by: voxy | December 03, 2008 at 12:19 AM
Kendrick Meek for U.S. Senate..Imagine Meek vs McCollum ina 10% unemployment state with Neocon REligious whacos on the run..Crist just appointed one to the florida supreme ourt
Posted by: Jason Straight | December 03, 2008 at 07:24 AM
JEB: the schmuck.JEB: the schmuck.JEB: the schmuck.JEB: the schmuck.JEB: the schmuck.JEB: the schmuck.
Posted by: Jason Straight | December 03, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Alex is honest and moderate...a good combo....and I am a republican....
Posted by: | December 03, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Dan Gelber is impressive and a strong advocate for affordable health care. He is a top legislator in Tallahassee but I'd rather see him run for Governor or stay in the Senate and run for Governor in 2014.
As for Senate 2010, I am with Kendrick Meek.
Posted by: | December 03, 2008 at 08:59 PM
McBride can't run two feet on the back of "I presided over huge losses of state funds". What will she say, since I am a big shot banker I should not have known what a house of marked cards the economy was built on? Please, she is nothing more than a political class poster child. If she had to make it on her own name and record she couldn't make dog catcher.
Posted by: | December 03, 2008 at 10:14 PM