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Franks' denial doesn't quell rumors of race
By ADAM SMITH
Published May 16, 2005
The old adage is "never say never" when asked about political plans. But retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks - many Republicans' fantasy challenger to Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson next year - all but said never the other day when asked if he might run for office.
Asked about any political plans at a Police Athletic League breakfast in St. Petersburg May 4, Franks said he won't run.
The St. Petersburg Times reported that at the time. But Buzz thought it worth repeating after the Franks-for-Senate rumor picked up more steam this week on a favorite GOP forum. The Wall Street Journal 's John Fund weighed in on the issue in the online OpinionJournal, which in turn was posted on Sayfie Review, the online bible for Florida political junkies.
Wrote Fund: "I'm told GOP leaders are excited about a possible Franks candidacy and have been plying the general with recent data from a poll of 1,200 Florida voters by Strategic Vision. The poll found Sen. Nelson's job approval at a dangerously low 45 percent."
THE ULTIMATE CAMPAIGN PLANE: While we're knocking down rumors about celebrity candidates, we move to flamboyant trial lawyer Willie Gary. The multimillionaire "giant killer" from Stuart is periodically mentioned as a potential candidate for governor, but the frequent Democratic contributor told us last week that's not on his horizon.
"I'm not considering any office whatsoever," said the owner of a plush 737 jetliner dubbed Wings of Justice.
HELPING CRIST: Now that he has filed his fundraising papers to run for governor next year, Attorney General Charlie Crist is collecting checks, beginning with a fundraiser May 24 at the Tallahassee home of Kathryn Ballard.
Name ring a bell?
Ballard is the wife of Brian Ballard, a prominent Tallahassee lobbyist and an early, avid supporter of Crist's candidacy. She also is the daughter of former Attorney General and Secretary of State Jim Smith, a supporter of Crist's rival, Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher. Smith and his son-in-law are business partners at Smith & Ballard.
MURMAN'S MONEY: Former Republican state Rep. Sandra Murman of Tampa is off to a big head start in the 2006 race for the Senate seat held by Senate President Tom Lee, R-Brandon.
Reports filed for the first quarter of 2005 show Murman has raised nearly $62,000 so far. J. Steven Cleveland of Valrico has raised $2,900 and Ray Young of Plant City filed his fundraising papers only last month.
Murman, who served eight years in the state House, is clearly a safe bet among Tallahassee insiders. Hospitals, trial lawyers, lobbyists, insurers and PACs have all donated to her campaign.
MONEY MAN READY: Former Democratic Party chairman Scott Maddox isn't yet a candidate for governor, but his campaign team is starting to come together. Kory Mitchell, John Kerry's Florida finance director, is ready to sign on as a Maddox fundraiser.
"After assessing the field very closely, I believe Scott is the most viable candidate in the race," Mitchell said.
--Times staff writers Adam C. Smith, Mary Jane Park and Steve Bousquet contributed to this week's Buzz.
[Last modified May 16, 2005, 01:10:04]
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