|
Click on logo to learn more about LDDKR
|
ARCHIVE
|
Issue 23
June 4, 2002
Vol. 7
Issue 23
|
Issue 22
May 28, 2002
Vol. 7
Issue 22
|
Issue 21
May 21, 2002
Vol. 7
Issue 21
|
Issue 20
May 14, 2002
Vol. 7
Issue 20
|
Issue 19
May 7, 2002
Vol. 7
Issue 19
|
Issue 18
April 29, 2002
Vol. 7
Issue 18
|
Issue 17
April 22, 2002
Vol. 7
Issue 17
|
Issue 16
April 15, 2002
Vol. 7
Issue 16
|
Issue 15
April 8, 2002
Vol. 7
Issue 15
|
Issue 14
April 1, 2002
Vol. 7
Issue 14
|
|
Have a comment or topic suggestion? Just click here.
WFTV, ABC afflicate, Orlando, FL
Saturday and Sunday morning newscast
Inside the House Former Members Reveal How Congress Really Works
|
The Frey Institute of Politics at UCF
|
|
| The University of Central Florida has established the Frey Institue of Politics.
|  |
|
|
GOVERNOR’S RACE
by Congressman Lou Frey, Jr.
Politics is a strange business. As I have said many times, a day in politics is a lifetime, yet, in the political world, people plan years ahead. Right now, there is a great deal of discussion in Florida about the Governor’s Race in 2006. Yes - 2006! Whether Governor Bush wins re-election or not, there will be a new Republican candidate that year. The obvious favorite is Lt. Governor Frank Brogan. Frank did an outstanding job as Secretary of Education and has been a loyal, dedicated and effective Lt. Governor. He has handled the Governor’s legislative program and has served willingly and without complaint. You would think he would be able to easily obtain the nomination.
However, there is another Republican whose star is rising within the State and nationally and that is the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Mel Martinez. Mel Martinez was first elected to public office as the Chairman of the Orange County Commission in 1998. After serving approximately two years, he was appointed to his current position by President Bush. He has done an outstanding job as Secretary of HUD and has developed a very close personal relationship with the President. He has spent time with the President at the White House in Washington, at the Texas White House and in Kennebunkport, Maine. Many in Washington think that of all the Cabinet Officers, the President is closest personally to Mel. It is no secret that Mel is looking to the future. It is also no secret that you can’t be elected Governor if you serve as Secretary of HUD for 8 years. It’s just not a good base. Look what’s happening to Andrew Cuomo, former Secretary of HUD in his race for Governor in New York. It looks like he won’t even get the Democrat nomination. Mel is going to have to make a choice at some point if he’s interested in the race. He probably doesn’t have to be back home until late 2004. He would be a formidable candidate and the race against Frank Brogan would split the Republican Party. There is one other potential player, and that is Tom Gallagher, who will probably win election to one of the three Cabinet positions without any opposition from either Party. Tom has been running for office for the last 30 years, has good statewide name recognition and has the ability to raise money.
The Democrats are looking at what is happening between Reno and McBride which, from their standpoint, isn’t pleasant to watch. They look at the possibility of two, if not three, top Republicans in a dog fight and the 2006 election looks a lot brighter than 2002. There is also the possibility that Senator Bob Graham could end up on the ticket as Vice President in 2004 which would open up the Senate seat or that Graham would decide not to run for the Senate in 2004, giving the Republicans two openings. An agreement between Brogan and Martinez to support each other for the Senate and Governor would make sense from their standpoint and the standpoint of the Republican Party.
Here we are talking about the Governor’s Race in 2006 when the Race isn’t over in 2002. Although it’s a long way off, it does give you the opportunity to watch these players as they position themselves for the run. You can be sure that each one is quietly letting it be known to key players that they have some interest in the position. I want to confess that I have no idea who is going to run in 2010 and, at the moment, have no interest.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
|
|
About Congressman Lou Frey, Jr.
Lou Frey represented Central Florida in the U. S. Congress from 1969 to 1979. In his last election, he received 78% of the vote. He was elected one of five Republican leaders in the House of Representatives during the 93rd and 94th Congress. He served on...
[MORE INFORMATION]
|
|
|
