Sheldon confronts Crist in new arena

Charlie Crist beat George Sheldon in the education commissioner race. They may square off next for attorney general.

By ALISA ULFERTS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 26, 2002

TALLAHASSEE -- George Sheldon is gearing for a rematch with Charlie Crist.

But instead of battling for education commissioner, the two will fight to replace Attorney General Bob Butterworth, who is being forced out after 16 years because of term limits.

Sheldon, a deputy attorney general and a former lawmaker from Tampa, announced Monday that he is seeking the Democratic nomination to replace his boss.

Crist beat Sheldon in the 2000 election for education commissioner, which ceases to be an elected position after this year.

Sheldon is the second Democrat in the past week to launch a bid for attorney general. He joins Buddy Dyer, a state senator from Orlando, and Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox, who announced his campaign last week.

Solicitor General Tom Warner and state Sen. Locke Burt join Crist in the Republican primary race.

Butterworth is the last Democrat on the Cabinet, and his post becomes more powerful after a voter-approved reorganization takes effect this fall. The attorney general will be one of just three spots on the Cabinet, along with the governor and the new post of chief financial officer.

In announcing his bid, Sheldon said Florida needs someone in the job who has worked with Butterworth.

"We must have an attorney general who knows this job from the outset and who will continue the aggressive consumer advocacy of Bob Butterworth," Sheldon said.

Before becoming deputy attorney general, Sheldon was a Tallahassee lobbyist who served in the Legislature from 1974 to 1982. As a deputy attorney general, Sheldon oversees the central and west coast Florida operations. He coordinates the office's Medicaid fraud, economic crimes, victims compensation, lemon law enforcement and other efforts.

His campaign treasurer is Pete Peterson, a former congressman, ambassador to Vietnam and gubernatorial hopeful.

Like fellow candidates Crist and Maddox, Sheldon had to attempt the Florida Bar exam twice before he passed all sections of it.

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