Let Play Musical Chairs in Democratic Politics

Miami Beach – CityDebate.Com – June 1, 2009 - Rumors abounded at Saturday night's Jefferson Jackson Democratic fundraiser at the Fontainebleau where the Democrats raised $675,000. Among the musical chairs in the Florida cabinet and the resultant domino effect caused by Republican one term Governor Charlie Christ announcing his run for the US Senate included the following:

     Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink emerged as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination and Attorney General Bill McCullom as the front-runner for the Republicans.

     Both have run successfully statewide, both have ties to the banking industry and both have strong followings. Senator Dan Gelber now had previously announced to run for US Senate but with Congressman Kendrick Meek getting a head start with contributions and endorsements because Gelber was prohibited from raising campaign money while the legislature was in session, Gelber announced from the podium that he was removing himself from the Senate race to consider "other possibilities in the cabinet." Translation: he will be running for Attorney General (but will probably not announce for a few more days).

     This means there will be a vacancy in the Senate for which you can expect first term State Representative and former Miami Beach City Commissioner Richard Steinberg to announce just after Gelber makes it official. 

     It will be a two-year term to fill out Gelber's four-year term. Steinberg's plans don't sit well with former Senator Gwen Margolis who lays claim to the seat having previously held it for many years, including a stint as President of the Florida Senate before she served on the Miami-Dade Commission. Ron Silver, who also served as Senator is also looking at the seat. Should be an interesting race. Margolis recently moved to Grove Isle, which is in the District because she had anticipated being elected Miami-Dade Property Appraiser but was politically outmaneuvered by Natacha Seijas who arranged the election dates for that voting on days when the turnout was guaranteed to be small giving the advantage to Pedro Garcia.

     Meanwhile, Senator Bill Nelson was rumored to have phoned the three potential Democratic contenders, State Senator Dan Gelber, State Senator Dave Aronberg, and former State Senator Rod Smith of Gainesville, for the Attorney General nomination to try to have a clear unopposed path for Gelber. Smith didn't show up for the Jefferson Jackson Dinner.  The theory was that Smith was considering the race hoping that the two South Florida Jewish candidates, Gelber & Aronberg would take votes from each other and Smith would walk in with a strong backing of North Florida where he is strong. Time will tell.

     Some people felt Gelber would be better as the Obama appointed US Attorney for South Florida since Alex Acosta President Bush's appointee just announced he is resigning to head FIU's four year old Law School.

     When Rep. Steinberg announces look for former North Bay Village Mayor and former Miami-Dade Democratic Party Chair Joe Geller to again seek the State Legislative seat, which Steinberg won over Geller.  Miami Beach City Commissioner Deede Weithorn is also rumored to be looking at that seat.

     Miami Mayor Manny Diaz who will be out of a job in November was also at the JJ dinner.

     He was a Democrat, then changed to independent just before running for Mayor. He is reportedly looking at the Congressional seat held by Mario Diaz-Balart, but also was talked about as a prospective Lt. Governor candidate. We will let you know how he is registered.

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