Florida Gubernatorial Primary offers hint of November outcomes

Updated on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 12:51PM by Kay B. Day, Editor

Rick Scott waits to speak at a meeting of the Republican Women's Club in Duval County. State rep. Jennifer Carroll (R) is on his right and Cindy Graves, president of the Florida Federation of Republican Women, sits by the cameraman who is standing. (Photo by Kay B. Day)

I predicted upsets on Primary Day, and Rick Scott’s victory in the GOP gubernatorial race proved me correct. Although many supporters worked hard for Attorney General Bill McCollum and his service record was solid, I explained to a  number of my Republican friends that ‘incumbent-it is’ can plague any branded candidate.

Two weeks ago, I told a longtime Republican Scott would win, and he responded, "No way."

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Florida GOP women unleash ‘fury’ on Crist

By Kay B. Day

Cindy Graves, President of the Florida Federation of Republican Women, will now lead her organization to support former Speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio's effort to unseat Gov. Charlie Crist's appointee in the US Senate George LeMieux.In Florida thousands of women belong to local Republican clubs that make up the state organization The Florida Federation of Republican Women. FFRW is led by President Cindy Graves. Meet her once and you will not forget her. For that matter visit any of these clubs and you’ll find a highly informed group of motivated Republicans willing to work hard for their candidates. Graves is informed, dedicated and an organizer extraordinaire. At the moment she is also highly steamed at Gov. Charlie Crist who until Thursday was a Republican.

After Crist jumped ship to run as an independent for the US Senate seat currently occupied by his ally and appointee Sen. George LeMieux (R-Fla.), Graves unloaded him on with an official statement that might turn Crist’s famous smile upside down.

The statement began with, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

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Romney keynotes GOP Lincoln Day celebration in Jacksonville

by Kay B. Day

Gov. Mitt Romney sustains popularity in Florida, with many expecting him to run for the GOP nomination in 2012. [Photo courtesy of Duval County GOP.]The Jacksonville GOP has made arrangements to increase general seating for ‘An Evening with Governor Mitt Romney,’ scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, at the Hyatt Regency on the St. John’s River. Tickets are on sale at the Duval GOP headquarters online.

GOP supporter Thomas F. Petway III will be honored for his service to the party at the local, state and national levels. Petway III is also a Circle of Gold recipient from the Florida State University Alumni Asso. and recipient of the F. Prime Osborn, III Distinguished Business Leaders Award from the University of North Florida.

General seating tickets are available at the same prices charged in 2006, “out of respect for the current economic situation,” according to Duval Republican Chairman Lenny Curry.

In spite of economic downturns, Curry said the financial support from sponsors has been unprecedented. "Duval Republican grassroots members are fired up and our donors are eager to make a difference in the 2010 election cycle by providing the finance necessary to make the mighty grassroots an unprecedented success." 

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Crist, Rubio and Thorpe heat up GOP battle for US Senate seat

Former Speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio (right) talks with Aaron Bean (left) in Jacksonville May 14. [photo by Kay B. Day]The race for retiring Republican Mel Martinez’s US Senate seat could not be more complicated. Start with Gov. Charlie Crist. He’s crafted a brand as politico of all persuasions. Shortly after his announcement, Crist picked up widely touted endorsements. At the moment, the Republican Party of Florida website looks like a Crist fan club.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, endorsed Crist right off the bat. State GOP Party chair Jim Greer basically endorsed him without officially endorsing him. Here’s a summary of the statement Greer gave to Congressional Quarterly: “State Republican Chairman Jim Greer said yesterday that if the state party deems it appropriate to make an endorsement in the Senate primary, it will be for Crist. Greer noted that Crist would be due that deference because he is the sitting governor.”

Before Crist declared his intentions, Dr. Marion Thorpe declared his candidacy for the Senate seat. Former Speaker of the House Marco Rubio also declared before Crist. And therein are the makings of a true political spectacle, because these candidates are charismatic and they are all Republicans.

Ironically, Crist entering the race creates more risk for the GOP. He’d probably win re-election as governor with little trouble.

Florida fireworks begin
Rubio spoke in Jacksonville on Thursday to the Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated. That influential club is among the constituencies infuriated with the state party at the moment. What set the club off—snap endorsements for candidate Crist in a race where there is no incumbent.

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