State: 4 emerge as top picks for lieutenant governor

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush says he expects to appoint a new lieutenant governor soon. Political observers say his short list apparently includes Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney.

Bush is saying little about whom he is considering, but others said to be on his list are Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood, who leaves today to become secretary of state; Rep. Gaston Cantens, R-Miami; and former Senate President Toni Jennings.

The governor's decision could have ramifications in the 2006 governor's race. Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan was expected to run with the governor's support -- until he decided to become president of Florida Atlantic University.

Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher wants to run for governor, but he and Bush have never been close. Many observers expect Bush to back another candidate. Bush defeated Gallagher for the Republican nomination for governor in 1994, but lost to then-Gov. Lawton Chiles. He won the job in 1998 and was re-elected in November.

The governor has said he will choose a lieutenant governor capable of taking over if needed as well as someone who is compatible and shares his view of the limited role of government. Some supporters are lobbying him to select the first woman or minority lieutenant governor.

On Tuesday the governor was back in Tallahassee for the first time in 10 days after a weeklong trade mission to Spain and a few days at the National Governors' Conference in Washington.

"I've got to take a couple of days off to reflect a bit," Bush said. "I want to do it relatively soon."

Brogan is due to start his new job in early March.

Delaney, 56, is a moderate Republican completing his second term as mayor of one of the state's biggest cities. A former prosecutor, Delaney has long said he wants to run for statewide office, but declined Tuesday to say whether he has talked to Bush about becoming lieutenant governor.

"It would be hard to turn down," Delaney said, "but I'm not lobbying for it or seeking it."

Cantens, 41, is a Miami lawyer and former prosecutor in his third term in the state House. Considered a rising star in the GOP, he had hoped to become House speaker in 2004 but last year lost a close contest to Rep. Allan Bense, R-Panama City.

Hood, 52, a moderate Republican, is completing her third term as mayor of Orlando. She has declined to discuss the possibility of becoming lieutenant governor, saying she is focused on her new duties as Bush's appointed secretary of state.

Jennings, 53, served in the House and Senate from 1976 to 2000 before returning home to Orlando to run a family construction business. She served two terms as president of the Senate, including the first two years Bush was governor. They frequently disagreed.

Jennings won't discuss the speculation, and Cantens did not return telephone calls Tuesday.

Former Secretary of State Jim Smith has been rumored to be under consideration, but said he would not consider it "unless Jeb was going to resign in a couple of years and I could be governor."

-- Times staff writer Julie Hauserman contributed to this report.

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