Florida Dems Want Broward’s Votes, Not Its Candidates
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Broward may contain the largest Democratic Party south of Atlanta.
When pundits and politicians Tuesday looked this week for candidates to run for retiring U. S. Sen. Mel Martinez’s seat, not one Democrat mentioned hailed from Broward.
A party with the most Democrats doesn’t have one candidate to field statewide?
The lack of candidates being mentioned points up Broward’s dilemma.
Until recently Broward had a bevy of pols who could compete statewide — former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth was one and former state Sen. Skip Campbell was another. That generation has aged physically and faded politically.
The old timers overshadowed the new comers and kept them from growing.
Now new crop of local politicians is laying down roots. None of them have ripened.yet.
Four promising Democrats who could have a big future come to mind state Reps. Joe Gibbons of Hallandale Beach, Evan Jenne of Dania Beach and Martin Kiar of Davie and former state Rep. Jack Seiler.
For now, they are too low on the political food chain to consider a statewide race.
Seiler is running for Fort Lauderdale mayor. A few years in the city hall limelight could mold Seiler into a future Cabinet contender.
U. S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston is Broward’s brightest light. She was mentioned for a moment after Martinez’s announcement.
Wasserman Schultz, who has a huge future in the U. S. House, says she isn’t interested I moving up.
The closest pols to Broward being labeled possible candidates are state Sen. Dan Gelber and U. S. Rep. Ron Klein.
Gelber, who represents a piece of Broward, lives in Miami-Dade. Klein, whose seat comes into North and Central Broward, lives in Boca Raton.
Both have yet to prove they have appeal from South Beach to Sopchoppy.
Until some of our young pols blossom, Broward is where statewide candidates will come for votes. It’s not where candidates will come from.
December 4th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Evan Jenne!!!!????
Didn’t you see the Herald blog. He is accused of election law violations.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/12/elections-commi.html
December 4th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Dan Gelber would be Fabulous to run for this seat. I don’t think Klein has enough going for him… He still has a lot to learn, one thing is his ego, he needs to curb it, big time. Gelber should try and run, it would be “great” to see him in that seat. I feel he could make a difference
December 5th, 2008 at 11:00 am
You’re missing another name: Congressman Kendrick Meek, who is also looking at the Senate race. He represents part of our area.
FROM BUDDY: Absolutely true. My mistake. You do have a memory!
December 6th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Kendrick Meek lives in Miami-Dade County even though some of his district covers Broward. He doesn’t count in the Broward question although he’d be a good pick.
If you ask me, watch Stacey Ritter. She has the experience and with Obama, she’s got the right friends.