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A run for McBride's wife?
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
"I'm giving it real thought," said Sink, former Florida chief for Bank of America and wife of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride. "I think I would have a chance, and I know I could put together a great team of people. I have friends all over the state. I don't have to say, 'I'm going to Pensacola, who does somebody know there?' " Sink, 54, has been talking to close friends and some Washington politicos about the prospects of a Senate bid but said she may not make up her mind until summertime. She said she wants to be sure she has "the fire in the belly" for another grueling statewide race, that she could mount a strong campaign, and that the Senate offers more appeal than going back to the private sector. Since retiring from banking three years ago, Sink said she has been busy with her two children, her husband's gubernatorial campaign and working with non-profit groups such as the Nature Conservancy and a farm workers ministry. Sink and McBride live in Thonotosassa, east of Tampa. She would be the only woman and first Central Florida Democrat to enter the race, which so far is dominated by South Florida politicians. South Florida typically accounts for slightly less than a third of Democratic primary voters. Sink would have a large statewide network of potential supporters and contributors from her banking days and her husband's unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign. Sink, who made millions in the banking industry, also has a long history with Emily's List, a national fundraising group that bundles contributions to women candidates who support abortion rights. Democratic pollster David Beattie, who has worked for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson among others, said Sink could be a formidable candidate but would have convince people she's not simply an offshoot of Bill McBride. "She has to be seen as separate from that campaign. The fact that it's a Senate race automatically helps her do that," Beattie said. Like the other prospective Democratic candidates -- U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd of Monticello and Peter Deutsch of Fort Lauderdale, state Sen. Walter "Skip" Campbell of Tamarac and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas -- Sink said she would not run if Graham seeks re-election. Complicating matters for the Democrats, Graham has not ruled out running for re-election if his presidential campaign sputters. Sink was talked up as a potential candidate long before her husband's run for governor, including as a potential running mate for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Buddy MacKay in 1998. She often told people urging her to run that she would consider it when the time seemed right. "This is the first kind of thing that's had some potential and possibility," she said. Republicans so far running or considering it include former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of Longwood, U.S. Rep. Mark Foley of West Palm Beach and U.S. Housing Secretary Mel Martinez. -- Adam C. Smith can be reached at (727) 893-8241 or adam@sptimes.com
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 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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From the Times state desk
From the state wire
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