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Keep politics out of position

With less than a year to go before the next statewide election, Gov. Jeb Bush doesn't have a lot of time to replace Secretary of State Glenda Hood, who has resigned. The appointed secretary oversees elections, and Florida has an important one coming up next year - for U.S. senator, U.S. House seats, governor and a variety of state Cabinet and legislative seats. With so little time to prepare, this is no place for someone to learn on the job.

Hood got mixed reviews for her performance during last year's presidential election. While she brought stability to an office that had been neglected by former Secretary of State Katherine Harris, she also made misguided rulings that some viewed as favorable to Republicans.

Hood's biggest mistake involved the creation of a flawed list of convicted felons to be denied a voter's card. Not only was the list inaccurate, it contained the names of black felons but not Hispanic felons. The state's black voters usually vote for Democrats, while Hispanics tend to choose Republicans.

After Harris' tenure, the secretary of state became an appointed office rather than elected. It was hoped that the change would insulate the job from partisan politics. It didn't, so now Bush should rehabilitate the position by picking someone who is an elections expert rather than a politician.

That means state Sen. Jim Sebesta, R-St. Petersburg, wouldn't be a good choice. Sebesta planted the seed himself, suggesting to a St. Petersburg Times reporter that he is being recruited for the job. While he has been a loyal team player for Bush and the Republican Party, that is hardly a desirable quality for a job that requires impartiality.

All eyes will be on the next secretary of state, and it had better be someone who can withstand the scrutiny.

[Last modified November 4, 2005, 01:40:17]