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Three-time attorney general in the fray?

Bob Butterworth may try to reclaim his old job. Fellow Democrats, excited by the prospect, promise to clear out of his way.

By ADAM C. SMITH
Published May 20, 2005

Bob Butterworth, a Democratic titan for three decades, thinks he might want his job back as attorney general.

The three-term attorney general who left office three years ago has told several prominent Democrats recently he's looking at running for another term.

State Sen. Walter "Skip" Campbell of Fort Lauderdale, a leading Democratic prospect for attorney general, said Butterworth told him recently he might run. Campbell would step aside for Butterworth.

"I'm not doing this for fame and fortune. I'm doing this so Democrats can get elected. Bob Butterworth will get elected," said Campbell, who also is considering running for chief financial officer but would step aside if former Bank of America chief Alex Sink runs, as some Democrats expect.

Butterworth did not return a call Thursday, but former education commissioner Betty Castor said his longtime ally George Sheldon called her this week to talk about the prospect of Butterworth's running.

Castor said all Democrats and especially anyone running for governor would love to see Butterworth on the ballot.

"I'd want a candidate from South Florida who is perceived as a reform-minded person. He would obviously be an appealing choice because he did a very good job as attorney general," said Castor, who served with Butterworth on the Cabinet.

Butterworth, 62, has been dean of St. Thomas Law School in Miami since 1993. Along with stints as a sheriff, mayor of Sunrise, prosecutor and head of the state's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, he served as attorney general from 1986 to 2002. He developed a national reputation as a consumer advocate for, among other issues, winning an $11.3-billion tobacco settlement.

Term limits pushed him out of office, and Butterworth suffered an embarrassing defeat when he ran for state Senate and lost to Republican Jeff Atwater.

The attorney general's post is opening because Republican incumbent Charlie Crist is running for governor. Three Republicans have plans to run for the job: former Pinellas Sheriff Everett Rice, now a freshman state House member; state Rep. Joe Negron of Stuart; and Sen. Burt Saunders of Naples. Negron already has raised more than $460,000 for the 2006 race.

None of those candidates has the name recognition of Butterworth, but the level of his interest is unclear. Newly elected state Democratic chairwoman Karen Thurman had not heard of his interest.

"I think he's in the process of testing the waters to see the level of support and his ability to raise money," said Broward County Democratic chairman Mitch Ceasar, who heard secondhand of Butterworth's interest.

Adam C. Smith can be reached at 727 893-8241 or adam@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 20, 2005, 01:05:11]