State Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson is planning to run for Governor next year if, as seems likely, current Governor Charlie Crist jumps into the open U.S. Senate race.
From the Tallahassee Democrat…
Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, who got more votes than any other candidate for a state office in 2006, said Tuesday he will jump into the race for governor next year if Gov. Charlie Crist runs for the U.S. Senate.
“I’ve been looking at the election cycles, and this is an unusual election cycle,” said Crist. “Every statewide constitutional office is going to be open — I think, for the only time since the 1885 Constitution was adopted.”
That would only happen if Crist makes the leap. Then other Cabinet officers could jump in the race for governor and leave their current seats open.
Florida will have five statewide races next year — for the seat of Republican U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, who is not seeking re-election, and the offices of governor, chief financial officer, attorney general and Bronson’s job. Crist has refused to say he is running for the Senate until after the legislative session, which adjourns May 1.
If he runs, McCollum and Sink are expected to seek the Republican and Democratic nominations, respectively, for governor. Bronson, who will hit the eight-year term limit next year, had been expected to retire but said he is ready to go for the top spot.
Bronson, a former state senator from the Brevard-Osceola County area, is a cattleman whose family has farmed in Central Florida since the 1830s. He is probably the least-known Cabinet officer, but Bronson said that’s deceptive.
“Everybody says that, but I got more votes than Charlie Crist,” said Bronson. “My name recognition is pretty high, and that’s a big part of it. My name is on licenses for 44,000 gas pumps.”
Bronson also said “I won some precincts that are heavily Democratic” in his last race. He polled 2.65 million votes statewide against a virtually unknown Democrat, Eric Copeland. That was about 122,000 more than Crist got in a tougher race for governor.
Bronson was appointed to the Cabinet post by ex-Gov. Jeb Bush in 2001, when Commissioner Bob Crawford resigned. He was easily elected in 2002 and 2006.
“The idea has been kind of growing,” said Bronson. “If Charlie goes for the Senate, I’m going to try it.”
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