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Rep. Davis gets Graham blessing

Davis, a 47-year-old Tampa lawyer, faces state Sen. Rod Smith, D-Alachua, and probably former state Democratic chairman Scott Maddox of Tallahassee in the gubernatorial primary.

By ADAM C. SMITH
Published May 12, 2005

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, the most winning politician in modern Florida history, is throwing his considerable clout behind U.S. Rep. Jim Davis' gubernatorial campaign.

Graham said Thursday he "enthusiastically" backs Davis over two other expected Democratic candidates and will happily campaign on Davis' behalf. As a private citizen, he no longer feels constrained from choosing favorites in a primary.

"I have known and worked with Jim when he was in the Legislature and in Congress," Graham said in a phone interview from Miami Lakes. "He is a very serious person. He is disciplined, and he has an unusual understanding of the people of Florida. ... He will be an appealing candidate to Democrats in the primary and to all Floridians in the general election."

Davis, a 47-year-old Tampa lawyer, faces state Sen. Rod Smith, D-Alachua, and probably former state Democratic chairman Scott Maddox of Tallahassee in what could be an unpredictable primary with no overwhelming frontrunner.

"I'm honored to have the support of Senator Graham," Davis said, "because of our shared commitment to serving the people of this state and our mutual vision of building a world-class economy and school system that helps all our children reach their God-given potential."

-- Adam C. Smith can be reached at 727893-8241 or adam@sptimes.com

See tomorrow's Times or sptimes.com for the full report.

[Last modified May 12, 2005, 18:55:56]