Insiders jockey to become leader of Democratic Party
By Times staff writers
Published April 17, 2005
Democratic insiders are set to elect a new state party chairman May 7, and it's shaping up to be an unpredictable race.
Miami-Dade party chairman Jimmy Morales has dropped out of the running, leaving former U.S. Rep. Karen Thurman of Dunnellon, party fundraiser Jeff Ryan of Tallahassee, state party vice chairwoman Diane Glasser of Tamarac and state committeeman Doug Courtney of Flagler County as the contenders.
By most estimates, the race is between Thurman and Ryan. But with Broward holding a mother lode of votes, Glasser is a serious player. She sent state committee members a letter last week denying rumors she had agreed to deliver Broward's votes to Thurman. Some think she'll deliver votes to Ryan.
One problem with that scenario: Ryan won't qualify unless he gets himself elected to a local party leadership post fast.
LOPSIDED REPORTS: There is no better reminder of Republican dominance of Tallahassee than the financial reports the parties filed last week.
The Florida Democratic Party raised $273,000 the first three months of 2005 (barely half of what it spent); the state GOP raised more than $3-million. It was the Democrats' worst financial report since at least 1996.
While the top Democratic contributors were largely Democratic campaign groups, the Republicans received money from virtually every group with interests in decision-making in Tallahassee. Real estate agents gave the GOP more money (nearly $113,000) than the Democrats raised altogether from sources other than Democratic committees.
Other top GOP donors included Jacksonville Greyhound racing ($100,000) and U.S. Ambassador Mel Sembler of St. Petersburg and his family ($75,000). Florida Holocaust Museum founder Walter Leobenberg, a longtime Sembler pal, gave the $25,000.
MADDOX MOVING ON: The Democrats' poor fundraising won't help state chairman Scott Maddox as he tests the waters for statewide office. But insiders bet he takes on U.S. Rep. Jim Davis and state Sen. Rod Smith for governor.
"I think if he had to make a decision today it would be to run for governor," said Allan Katz, a Democratic fundraiser and close Maddox ally, who predicted Maddox would raise more than Smith or Davis.
Maddox met with Democratic politicos in Washington recently and has been talking with media consultants, including Thomas "Doc" Sweitzer, who helped elect Bill Richardson governor of New Mexico and Ed Rendell governor of Pennsylvania.
Democrats are divided over Maddox's ability to raise money.
"Jim and Rod, more so than Scott, have good connections in the business community," said Joe Perry, Smith's finance director.
Michael Duga, a former Clinton aide from South Florida, suspects Maddox will be a potent fundraiser: "He is best candidate in the field bar none, because he's shown he can rebuild the party and go anywhere in the state and talk to Floridians."
WOMEN'S STUDIES: A few of the state Democratic party's expenses got Buzz wondering: What party business required $121 for three trips in January and March to Hooter's in McDonough, Ga.?
It's not unprecedented. In 2002 and 2003, Republican Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson's campaign spent $92 at Hooter's in Tallahassee.
ERRING ON THE SIDE OF MONEY: U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., surprised a lot of people March 29 when he showed up at Terri Schiavo's Pinellas Park hospice to pray with her parents and appear on national TV. The Senate leader said he was around for a Social Security town hall meeting, which was canceled out of respect for Schiavo's family.
Leading a talk about domestic policy apparently was deemed more disrespectful than raising money. The Philadelphia Daily News reported last week that Santorum squeezed his hospice visit between Florida fundraising stops. His finance director said Santorum raised $250,000 in Orlando (with Florida Sen. Mel Martinez), Palm Beach, Miami and at a Tampa luncheon hosted by Outback Steakhouse executives.
NO WORRIES: Rep. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, raised $460,000 in his first round of fundraising for attorney general, but a potential rival says he's not worried.
"He's chairman of Ways and Means, I'm surprised he didn't raise more than that," said Rep. Everett Rice, R-Treasure Island.
QUOTABLE: "Thankfully, governors and politicians aren't in charge of revenue estimating. Because that would be like giving someone a bottle of bourbon and a Maserati and telling them to have a good time." - Gov. Jeb Bush on billions in extra revenue.
Adam C. Smith and Lucy Morgan contributed to this week's Buzz.
