Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Around the state

Gallagher to run for governor

By wire services
Published May 18, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher will announce today he is running for governor, setting up what is expected to be a competitive Republican primary to replace Gov. Jeb Bush in 2006.

Gallagher has served in state government more than 30 years, including 12 in the Legislature. He was elected insurance commissioner and education commissioner before winning his current position in 2002.

It will be his third run for governor. He lost primaries to Bob Martinez in 1986 and to Bush in 1994.

He stepped out of a U.S. Senate race in 2000 to give Bill McCollum an uncontested primary. Gallagher then won a state Cabinet seat while McCollum lost to Democrat Bill Nelson.

Gallagher will talk about his campaign themes in an announcement outside the Capitol before family members file his paperwork with the Division of Elections, said Brett Doster, his campaign manager.

The four hurricanes that struck the state last year raised Gallagher's profile as he dealt with insurance issues in the aftermath, pressuring insurance companies that were slow paying claims and freezing rate increases while the Legislature addressed insurance issues.

Republican Attorney General Charlie Crist announced last week he is running for governor and Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings is considering it. Announced Democratic candidates include former state party chairman Scott Maddox, U.S. Rep. Jim Davis and state Sen. Rod Smith.

Bush can't seek re-election because of term limits.

TALLAHASSEE - U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta delivered a $928-million check to the state Tuesday to help repair roads damaged by last year's four hurricanes.

About a third of the money will be used to replace an Interstate 10 bridge over Escambia Bay just east of Pensacola. A large portion of the bridge fell into the bay Sept. 16 when Hurricane Ivan hit the area. Repairs have restored the bridge to use with limits on traffic flow.

The department is spending $43-million on the temporary bridge and $307-million for the permanent replacement, which should be ready in 30 months.

In all, just over $1-billion will be spent to repair hurricane-damaged routes, with the state contributing more than $100-million.

MAYPORT - A woman chatting with two other women in her yard was killed when part of an oak tree fell on her.

Holly June Dodson, 31, was standing outside her mobile home in Mayport Monday afternoon when a 25-foot section of the tree broke off.

"They heard a cracking sound, they looked up and saw a tree falling," police spokesman Ken Jefferson said. He said Dodson ran about three steps before being hit.

Several men lifted the tree section and cleared dirt away from the victim's face, but she had been crushed. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Winds at the time were about 10 to 15 mph, a National Weather Service meteorologist said.

[Last modified May 18, 2005, 01:05:56]