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Legislator joins race for chief financial officer

Johnson portrayed himself as a friend of Florida's hurricane victims.

By LUCY MORGAN
Published May 24, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - Portraying himself as a friend of Florida's hurricane victims, Republican Rep. Randy Johnson Tuesday joined the 2006 race for chief financial officer.

Johnson, 45, lives in an area hit by three of the four hurricanes that moved across Florida last year.

"When I go back home I still see blue tarps," Johnson said. "It's unforgiveable, we have a system that is not working for many Floridians."

Johnson was critical of legislative reaction to insurance company needs but complimented Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher for his work to "set the cornerstone" of what Floridians need, but pulled out his own homeowners insurance policy to demonstrate the severity of the problems the state faces. Gallagher is leaving the post to run for governor.

Printed across the outside of the policy in big letters was the warning that the policy contains separate deductibles for hurricane losses.

Johnson led the House efforts to pass new growth management laws during this year's legislative session and was president of No Casinos, which opposed slot machines in South Florida. Voters in Broward County narrowly approved slots while those in Miami-Dade rejected them. Johnson said he expects to resign from the group as soon as a replacement can be found.

A native of Utah, Johnson is president and CEO of the Central Florida Sports Commission, which promotes sporting events in the Orlando area. He moved to Florida in 1971 and graduated from the University of FLorida in 1981. He spent nine years in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carriers U.S.S. Saratoga, Theodore Roosevelt and Independence. He was elected to the House in 1998.

He lives in the Disney development Celebration with his wife, Darlene and two children.

Johnson faces two other Republicans are seeking the chief finance officer's position: Sen. Charles Clary, R-Destin, and Milton V. Bauguess of Tallahassee. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, had announced plans to seek the post, but said Tuesday he is bowing out to remain with his law firm.

Eric Copeland of Miami is the only Democrat in the race but Sen. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, and Alex Sink, former banking official from Hillsborough County, have indicated they are considering the race.

[Last modified May 24, 2005, 17:44:27]